START to downsize

Several of this week’s START To Downsize posts have centered around furnishing our rental condo in SW Florida where we’re spending the winter.

Today’s article, “Downsizing Tips – Best Artwork Ideas On A Budget”, is a continuation on that theme.

We finished painting the used dining room table, chairs and china cabinet, as well as recovering the dining chair seats.

We had also found the main pieces of our living room furniture and had those in place, so it was time to consider what artwork I wanted for the open concept floor plan.

1. I wanted to bring in family pieces wherever possible.
2. Since we are living in Florida, I wanted to pay some homage to the area, but without going overboard stylistically or financially.
3. I was keen on practicing what I preach, namely, to use what I have and to live well with less.

With these three caveats in mind, here are my “Downsizing Tips – Best Artwork Ideas On A Budget”:

• Bring in family pieces, wherever possible -

When I was cleaning out my parent’s home in 1995 in preparation to list it for sale, I came across this map of the Hawaiian Islands sent by my father, while he was stationed in 1945 at the naval port of Hilo, HI, to his parents in Minnesota.

In addition to the islands, the map contains pictures of indigenous flowers across the top and native fish across the bottom.

It was rolled up and stuck in the back of a closet, tied with a piece of string.  When I unrolled it, I realized that it included an explanation of the map, which follows:

We are pleased to send you this map of the Hawaiian Islands to you.  It is done at the request of a person known to you who was a recent visitor to the Dole Cannery in Honolulu.  You may be interested to know that special arrangements have been made in order that the boys in uniform may visit the Dole Cannery – the largest fruit cannery in the world.  We have naturally welcomed this opportunity to open our doors to the men of the Armed Forces.

Hawaiian Pineapple Company, Ltd.

Honolulu, Hawaii                                                 San Francisco, California

It was such a piece of history, both of our country and of my family, that I knew it had to be professionally framed.  This was a case where spending what was necessary was important, as I consider the map to be a priceless part of my heritage and I intend to hand it down to the next generation in my family.

• Give a nod to Florida without getting kitschy or spendy -

Over the years, as my husband and I vacationed in Florida, I’d stop in antique malls and look for vintage postcards, such as the one seen, above.

I had an assortment of them, none of which cost more than $1.  I found the black frames at Walmart for $3 each and got the green scrapbooking paper at Michael’s for $.49 each.

I cut the paper to size, attached the postcards to the paper with double-stick foam squares and framed them myself.

In less than an hour and for little more than $40, I now have a large piece of artwork I absolutely love!

I took several more postcards, changed the “mat” color, put them in 5″X7″ frames, and set them on the bar counter to allow the viewer a closer look.

As I already had the postcards and the frames, my only expense for them was two sheets of paper @ $.99.

• Use what I have and live well with less -

These are three original pencil sketches done by an artist friend.  I bought them from her a couple of years ago and never got them framed.  I found them while unpacking and immediately knew they’d be perfect in the foyer of our condo.

I was trying hard to stay within my self-imposed condo-furnishing budget, which was already pretty much exhausted, so I went to Marshall’s and found these three frames for $12.99 each.  They came with the neutral mat, making framing a snap.

I can always upgrade the frames at a later date, but for now I’m fine with them as they are.

Every time I look around me, I’m surrounded by wonderful, familiar, beautiful artwork, which truly allows me to live well with less.

I’m very happy with today’s “Downsizing Tips – Best Artwork Ideas On A Budget” and hope they prove inspirational to you, as you accessorize your downsized home.

Please write me with your best artwork ideas on a budget- I know I’ll learn from all of you!

Kate