I have issues.. of the best kind!

Oh dear heavens... WHAT have I gotten myself into?!?  

I am literally coming out of my skin, I am so freakin excited!! BUT.  I am a Nervous Nelly!!  (have I mentioned I am a Gemini!! Not that I believe in all the hocus-pocus, but I def have 2 sides of me at odds all. the. flippin. time! I live in a constant state of indecisiveness! ... on the one hand.. blah! blah! blah!.. but on the other hand.. blah! blah! blah!  hahahaha)

Ok, so here's what all the excitement is about~

I. am decorating my brother's corporate apartment in NOLA next weekend.... SITE UNSEEN!  As in, I've never been to his apt. Ever.  Sure, I have a few random snap shots to go by my mother took, but no measurements, no layout... no nuthin! {And by apartment, I mean I am focusing primarily on the entryway, living room and kitchen}

With the exception of his style direction "New Orleans elegant grunge"... he has given me FULL REIGN!! I was told, and I quote, "do yo thang!"  Oh you bet I will, mister! Game ON!

He already has a couch and loveseat and I think a coffee table and end table ~ I'm not even sure! I do know his lamps are ghetto and frat looking so they'll be the first to get the ol' heave ho!

I have a $500 budget, which may sound like plenty.. but girlfriend!  It's pennies to a girl with champagne taste on a beer budget!  (I may have been accused of this on more than one occasion by more than one perosn! MAYBE~) 

So, I've shopped every Goodwill within a 10 mile radius (because as I've mentioned before.. I rarely venture out the "loop" alone!)  I have been fortunate and found some pretty cool stuff!  I've also been to a couple garage sales and gotten lucky!

I don't want to show you all the goods before hand because I think it'll loose its grandeur! {see how I'm building suspense and excitement!}  I will take photos of the finished room and walk you thru what I've done.

But just so you have an idea, and because maybe it's a teensey bit torturous to taunt you, here's what I've gotten so far....

A pair of louvered shutters (55" in height)~ which I will paint and distress with black chalk paint!

 An antique mirror ~ that's totally GORG and I soo wanna keep it for myself!!!

An iron mirror with scrollies

A column

A floor lamp

An iron Fleur de Leis

6 Black and gold frames to make a composition wall

A book with photos I will put in above mentioned frames

Tropical Greenery

3 pairs of candle sticks

Iron lanterns

A black "CAFE" sign

Baskets

Deep Blue "Velvet" drapes

Wall sconces

Shelves for the wall

An iron serving tray ~ which may or may not be hung on the wall ;)

I would like a rug, but that'll have to wait as the budget has been met and I will not purchase that item for a site un-seen project with no measurements! I ain't THAT ambitious OR talented, folks!!  

So are you as excited as I am?!  Gaahhh!!! 

hugs.

k