Everyone is talking about how to do more with less in these dark economic times. Elle Décoration has a feature on a family home where just about everything is second-hand or DIY -- from this home-built loft bed with its paint-splattered ladder to modest vintage accessories made from flea market finds, like a DIY mobile made from old toys...

posted originally from: OhDeeDoh

In this kids room, a vintage twin school desk and blackboard lend a retro charm, as do old alphabet charts strung up nonchalantly on the wall.

And anyone could copy this idea: an old busted wire lampshade carcass strung up with vintage (or outgrown) toys.

See the rest of the house via Elle Décoration here.

- Kristin Hohenadel blogging from Paris. She can be reached at kristin @ apartmenttherapy . com