Do you have a big bland wall in your home crying out for some attention? Love the classic look of chair rail, wainscoting, or picture frame molding… but aren’t so keen on the price of professional installation? Let’s add some instant character into your space with a DIY solution! This post walks you through a beginner-friendly DIY chair rail and picture frame molding utilizing pre-formed frames.…
So, we had a bit of a CATastrophe last week… I’ll spare you the disgusting details, but let’s just say darling kitty had tummy trouble no amount of Resolve could solve! The ivory shag rug we’ve had nearly 15 years year wound up curbside. It has served us well. However, this space has been crying for an update. What better way to freshen things up than by adding an affordable neutral rug?…
We’ve lived in our current home for more than three years now. Most of the “projects” are complete. The decor is nearly finalized. However, there is still one space glaring at me — the void above the bed in our master bedroom. It’s big. It’s blank… and it is crying for attention! Yet somehow, I’m stuck. For whatever reason, this is a tricky spot to design.…
You know that “wow” moment, when you walk into a department store decked to the nines for Christmas and the holiday season? It’s almost like the trees — each perfectly themed — are calling to you for a closer look. They’re lush, unique and beautiful… true works of art! Wish you could recreate that magic and whimsy? This post details the tricks interior designers use during the holiday season.…
Whoa – it feels like an eternity since I’ve talked about decor. If you’re wondering why, I have one word for you… toddler. His ability to make messes far outpaces my ability to clean them up. Consequently, all decorating and interior projects have taken a backseat to the daily triage of keeping the house from looking like a stuffed animal bomb went off. I feel I’m always juggling things, waiting for the ball to drop.…
Ah, the bonus room… We get so excited when our homes have one. That is, until we have to decorate it. Unlike most other rooms in our homes (e.g. the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom), which have defined purposes, bonus rooms are blank canvases. And blank can be intimidating! The possibilities are endless: Home office, study space, game room, crafting area, bar, guest quarters, etc. It can really get your wheels spinning.…
Part art, part daydream, maps are powerful sources of inspiration. They help you plan, explore and learn. In fact, if it were up to my husband, they might just cover every wall in our home! We love to decorate with maps. People usually think of maps as functional tools, but we choose them for their design potential. So, let me share a few clever ways to use geography in YOUR home.…
Room inspiration can come when you least expect it. In this case, our bedroom design started with sea gulls. Yup, much to the chagrin of my husband (who calls them garbage birds)… I spotted a beautiful bird painting in the clearance aisle at Hobby Lobby. Just looking at it made me happy. It was like going to the beach without leaving the store. Plus, it was just $23!…
It feels a bit odd to say my favorite room is a powder room, but there is something undeniably special about this space. In fact, plenty of visitors who leave to “use the facilities” at my parents’ lake house, wind up spending an inordinate amount of time studying the walls. This nautical powder room is beautiful, soothing and most importantly personalized.…
While the push for open concept living has dramatically changed the way we use our spaces, I firmly believe the dining room still has value. In fact, our busy lifestyles make it more relevant than ever. Modern families are desperately hungry for time to relax and connect with each other. Sitting down for a family dinner—without TV or distracting devices—offers the perfect opportunity to touch base and reminisce about the day.…