Target shower curtain.

75 cent original photo and 99 cent frame from goodwill.

$2 screen prints from a local shop in $1 frames on kitchen backsplash.

wow! You did a GREAT job!

Great start. I am so glad he is in a really nice and safe apartment.

Side story: Youngest lived by herself for her soph and junior year. In her senior year, she was asked to be a roommate by a friend. The friend's mom found a beautiful two bedroom duplex apartment. Done deal. When we went to help DD move in, it was right next door to a drug rehab center. The walk-in apartment below them also had a substance abuse clinic! Plus it was at the fringe of what I would consider acceptable. The saving grace was that right next door was a large apartment building that rent to grad students only. So, I knew there would be student activity going on to and fro.

I was nervous that whole year, but there was not one incident.

Your son's apartment is well above expectations, so happy for him....and you.

Thanks! I told him he’s skipped that whole “grungy apt., beater car” phase of life. (He’s driving a brand new leased Honda.) Although he did live in a grungy house with 5 other guys for his senior year. He’s been a hard worker his whole life so I’m really happy for him!

Aww, how nice. Love the Mexican Bingo cards; is there a story behind them?

The only story is that I stumbled upon the boxed game at a local shop and knew it could serve as cheap art! I thought I was clever, but a few days later when we went to the art museum and saw this, I decided I was quite brilliant! A Mexican “lotteria board”...

I mean, I could have framed them, but that might have pushed the budget. :-)

Such an exciting time. I love the energy of the bingo cards!

You did great in a short period of time!

A bittersweet time for you, I know, but I’m so glad he had you there to help him get his first place all set up and cozy. You did great, Mom!

Good job. You are such a great mom.

That is an awesome apartment. You did an amazing job. The improvised art is particularly impressive- well- so are the CL finds. Kudos to you both on navigating this transition so nicely.

Excellent job! My son also missed the grungy apartment/beater car stage. But like your son, he earned it! So great for you to have this time together to get him officially launched.

Wow! If you need a new career, you could go into business furnishing First Apartments on the Cheap!

The apartment looks great and you guys really did score. Multiple times! Tucson is great for pre-owned stuff bc the retirees die and leave all their treasures. Enjoy.

Wow, you did good! Love how the blanket on the sofa carries the colors and theme of the wall art (appropriately worthy of an art exhibit,). The drop leaf table, the sofa and wood bowl with the loose cards ... love it all.

You did a great job setting things up on the cheap. Most guys don’t care too much, but yours may be different. He will appreciate all the touches of home. Your touch.

Thank you all! Outside, I didn’t think he’d care but he really did. When we were looking at kitchen towels at Target, I said “I assume you don’t care which one...” and he said “I’ll get the red one. I really like red; I think I’ll use it a lot in the apt.” I almost fell over. Ha! That boy had a blue room for his whole life — I had no idea he liked red! Needless to say, the red sofa was a lucky find.

Good thing I had a hand in the big stuff, because he texted me a pic of a “nightstand” he bought at Target after I left....LOL.

That's so cute.

Looks great and much better than my first apartment!

Nice work!!!! Your son is a lucky guy having you to help him. I love the red sofa!! The table is gorgeous and everything else is very cool. You are a great thrifty shopper!

What a fun time for the two of you to be able to do this & what a great job you did!! It's hard when they leave the "nest", but it sounds like he is and will continue to do great! Plus, Tucson will be a nice place for you to visit in the winter months....remember that!!

Happy to see this update! What a great mom you are. Have your son check out Buy Nothing on FB. It was started on our little island and has spread over the world. You can ask for specific items or just look at what is offered. I got some great free stuff for my DS when he got his first apartment (including Italian leather dining chairs!). Here is a link to more information buy nothing project

Oh! We have it in our town too. Good idea!

That is wonderful!! Great job, mom!

We have Freecycle but hardly anything gets posted. Like maybe 3 times a year, tops. And two of those were me . . . and no one took my items.

Great job! The bingo cards as art was brilliant. Question.... Where did you get the kitchen towel hanging on the stove?

LOL pink

Joanie, the towel was from a fancy boutique...let me see if I can recall the name...oh yeah! Target. ;-)

Haha...thanks Sue. It’s perfect for DS and girlfriend....they both work in farm animal protection.

Amazing work there! The Mexican Bingo is totally GENIUS. It looks terrific and I know for moi I would have never thought of it (or if I did, I could have never completed the thought to action).

In my area, CL is not really an option. Freecycle is quite good. We just moved here 6 days ago and in our old area and this new area, Freecycle is quite happening. My daughter has buynothing where she is and it is outstanding. It is not in my area. I am hoping it will start here.

Anyway - GREAT JOB~~~