An excellent budget idea for redecorating by paring down:
"I like to do this myself at least once a year. Take every last loose piece on every surface — photos, vases, candlesticks, books, magazines — whatever is cluttering up your vision and chances are you no longer even see. Put them on a counter in the kitchen, then redeploy in new arrangements. But only use half of them. Put the rest into a closet for a free shopping spree the next time around."
[Image: Bryan's Fashionable Statement ]
Other Good Quotes:
Apartment Therapy's Sofa Shopping Guide
Nikki’s Sweet and Cheery Print Studio
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Stanley Console by ...
5 Things Paris Taught Me About Travel
Recipe: Ham, Cheddar & Chive Egg Bakes
I once set up my "studio" room the same way - bed on the back wall, dresser to its right, sofa table as a divider, and then my sofa to create the "living" space. The way I had set it up though really hindered the flow of the room and I hated it...
I like the idea of the "free shopping spree." I always feel good when I find a decorative piece that I stashed away.
Does anyone know where I can find those Foo Dogs?
I bought that exact same pair off eBay but they arrived demolished due to the seller's poor packing - and I haven't been able to find another set since...
Um, bepsf, I believe the advice you typically give in a situation like this would be (wait for it... wait for it)
"Google 'Foo Dogs'".
And, hey, Gregory, you know I'm a big fan, but perhaps a Jamie Drake photo with a Jamie Drake quote next time? :)
Alternatively, sell half of it and get some new stuff. It's still free unless you count work...
This is a fantastic way of refreshing your home for free. I kind of already do this with a couple of the pieces of furniture I have accessorized. It'd be cool to have a set time to do it though because sometimes things get "lost in the background" and this would keep that from happening.
~ Sarah @ http://www.queenofdiy.com
I do something sort of similar with my stuff, but I do it seasonally.
I collect all kinds of vases, lamps, etc from thrift shops and store the stuff I find in a closet, by color. Then I pull everything off the shelf when a new season comes, dust, and regroup with the items in my closet. It's fun!
They have some foo dogsat CB2
http://www.cb2.com/search.aspx?query=foo%20dogs
They are red, but could be easily spray painted white if you wanted.
Hahaha - Patrick...
That I've already done - it's been impossible to find those exact Foo Dogs.
I had clients who wanted to rearrange everything in their house (in an attempt to buy less "stuff") and the process showed them what they could dispose of and what they still desperately needed to get.
http://retrogradesf.blogspot.com/2010/03/put-that-thing-down-flip-it-and-reverse.html
Hmm... maybe I should be doing this. I have so many things I love to display but since I am living with my parents I am restricted to my 10'X10' room (not including the doorless closet, which makes it 10'X12'). It feels like a thrift store right now.