The ABCs of Decorating | C
I know, I know. You came here looking for some kind of awesome secret on home decor and cleaning was the last thing you wanted to do. I'm sorry, but today is just good ol' sage wisdom. You will never, ever, EVER love your house when it is a mess. That may be harsh, but it's the truth. We all have goals we want to meet where home decor is concerned. The very first step is starting with a clean slate..... which is equal to a clean home.
I'm not going to elaborate on the need for organization and cleanliness. I did a short series on decluttering here. I also wrote a post with some simple tips for clutter control. I realize C is not for "clutter-free," but let's face facts: it's much easier to keep a clean house with less clutter!
Here are a few basic things our family does to keep my home clean on a regular basis. It's not perfect by any means, but it's mostly picked up and presentable on any given day. I think the things on this list are quick and easy enough for any family member to do, even the three year old.
1. Run the dishwasher nightly & unload in the morning. That way, you are never short dishes during the day and you have an empty dishwasher awaiting the items you've used throughout the day. My children are usually responsible for the unloading in the morning.
2. Do at least one load of laundry a day. See it through to the folding and putting away. I confess I have not kept up with this the last few weeks and I really do feel the weight of it.
3. Put things away immediately after using them. This is something that does not come natural to me (or my children!), but it makes the world of a difference. If you think about it, a really messy room is just a whole lot of little things that did not get put away after being used.
4. Clean the kitchen as you cook. There are always spare minutes while cooking. Use that short amount of time to wash a pot, put measuring spoons in the dishwasher, etc. That way, when dinner is done, you only have to rinse plates and pack up leftovers.
5. Don't step over it, pick it up! I really need to work on training my children to do this because they are master dodgers. We are all guilty of saying, "I'll get it later." Instead of later, do it now. Again, the little things are what adds up to a giant mess.
Hopefully these little tips help you to maintain a mostly clean home most of the time. If you have any you would like to add, please do so in the comments or on my facebook page. I'd love to hear them!
Weekend Finds | 2nd Edition
This weekend was a bit lackluster mostly because I skipped garage sales on Saturday and only hit up two thrift shops on Sunday. Still, I scored some fun pieces of junk that I cannot wait to get creative with!
This pretty wicker basket in French blue reminded me of something that would be used to hold collected lavender bunches. It just needs a good cleaning and a tiny bit of repair on the lid. I will be adding it to my shoppe in the near future.
I can NEVER resist a good set of canisters. I feel they are something everyone uses in their home. Sometimes they are proudly displayed on the kitchen counter. Other times, they are neatly tucked in a pantry or under a counter. Either way, canisters are a must. I was excited to find this set of four cobalt pottery canisters. I added a fun dry erase label to each and stuck them in my shoppe right away.
It has French typography on it? Check! I didn't have to think long about this one. The frame is an unpretty wood, but I plan to give it a mini facelift with some milkpaint.
Isn't this mini urn just the cutest?? I have a special project in mind for it. I need to find just the right item to go with it and then I will be happy to share on the blog!
I fell in love with these little pinecone taper holders. These cuties will definitely receive a fun update this week. I hope to share the completed project with you soon!
I actually found this pitcher at a big box craft store on clearance. Although it's new, it has a rustic quality to it. I will be using it for a fall floral arrangement. I love the pansies and the wreaths on this lovely trivet. I am trying to decide if I should paint the wood a pretty white. What do you think?
This stack of votive holders are going to paired up with the pinecone tapers. I am sure you can figure out what's going to be happening there! Can't wait to share the finished project with you.
Finally, I picked up a couple of trays. The pretty French blue tray is a light craft wood. I am going to leave it as is because this color seems to be extremely popular these days. The second tray is simple wicker tray. I imagine it could hold bread at family dinner or an assortment of kid friendly books on the coffee table. Both are perfect as is and will remain as I found them.
So, did you have any luck this weekend? I'd love to see what you found on my facebook page!
This is the second post of my Weekend Finds. Click here to see more!
This is the second post of my Weekend Finds. Click here to see more!
The ABCs of Decorating | B
The basics are going to be different for every person. For me, it's pretty simple. I guess that's why they are called basic. When you find yourself wanting to change up your home decor or just add any at all, this is where I would start hands down. You don't have to spend a lot of money at all when it comes to the basics. In fact, several of my basic items were purchased at big box discount stores. So, let's get to it, shall we?
1. Window Treatments | These are a must when it comes to home decor. I feel like a room without some sort of dressing on the window just feels naked. Notice I did not specifically say "curtains." Every home is different, every room has it's own vibe. Follow that feeling and add a covering to your window that accentuates the overall ambiance of a room. Of course there are many window coverings to choose from, but that is another post entirely.
2. Mood Lighting | This is so, SO important. If you were to come to my home right this instant, you'd see I have THREE (3!!!) lamps in our family room alone. We have at least one lamp in every room of our home, even in a bathroom. There are a few times when overhead lighting is important; when you are sewing, cooking, or performing surgery, perhaps. Other than those times when bright, clear light is needed, lamps provide plenty of necessary lighting. You can use several to provide a variety of options for a specific room. Lamps are an accessory in themselves, but when turned on, they provide a whole new level of warmth and coziness. Trust me on this one and try it. You will truly be amazed at the difference lamps make.
3. Rugs | This last basic is going to vary widely depending on the type of flooring you have. Of course if you have wood or tile floors, you will want a large area rug to provide comfort above all else. Rugs anchor a space. They visually hold all of your room together by giving your eye somewhere to settle. They are also wonderful in unexpected places, such as under the table in your kitchen. Not only does it provide a softness to an otherwise sterile place, it is excellent for sound absorption.
So, there are my basics when it comes to home decor. You can find most of these things fairly inexpensively and very easily. What are the basics of your home decor?
Weekend Finds
This past weekend I was able to hit some good garage sales as well as stop at one of my favorite local shops. Here are some things I picked up.
These super cute pig cutting boards drew my eye right away. To me, they really give off that French country vibe.
I was super excited to score this huge, old door for only $5! I am going to clean it and use it as a makeshift wall in my new space at Old Time Antiques.
These vintage rolling pins were another fantastic find. I am so in love with the robin's egg blue handles on the front one.
I will probably sell the majority of these beauties in my shop, but I am sure there will be a few in my home kitchen. :)
This large, super chippy and rusty scale was something I found at a local collective. I have a thing for vintage scales. I love using them in home decor. I'm not sure if I will keep this one or not. Regardless, I could not resist taking it home with me.
How lovely is this very worn, super tarnished silver pitcher? When I spotted it, I immediately pictured lush white hydrangeas spilling over. I will make that happen this week. And no, I will not be polishing it.
This vintage inspired letter press "H" is just that, vintage inspired. It was mass produced and there are many letters available, but I am a sucker for our family monogram.
Finally, my last garage sale gem was this set of shutters. I plan to paint them, replace the hardware and use them in my new space at Old Time Antiques as a "window." I have all these plans in my mind about making it a truly French country space. I am super excited.
This was a great weekend of hunting for me. What did you find?
Facelift Friday | Chippy Desk
I am late again with my Friday facelift! I am going to have to be better about that. This week I got to work with the most lovely desk. I knew when I saw it that it was suited for two colors. Of course, one of those was going to be Ironstone, but I thought a bit about the second color.
After checking out Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint lookbook, I decided on Shutter Gray. It is the perfect mix of gray and blue. To me, it is the quintessential French country color.
This was the first piece I did that had a larger amount of peeling and chipping all on it's own. A few of the drawers did not chip at all, so I used a heat tool to encourage more chipping. I think it turned out rather well.
Unfortunately, I was in such a hurry to finish this piece that I didn't get near the amount of photos I wanted to. I am thankful for the photos I did manage to get though.
This last photo was taken in my booth at Old Time Antiques. If you are in the Florida panhandle, I highly recommend checking it out.
Interior Design Options + Pricing
ROOM REFRESH | $50+ per room
PERSONAL SHOPPING | $20 per hour
After we have determined the desired end result to your space, you may find there are some items you are wanting to purchase to complete it. You may be too busy to seek out these items yourself. Or perhaps you are feeling unsure of what to buy. Either way, I am happy to assist you in your purchases. I will be happy to shop for you or accompany you as you shop for yourself.
HOLIDAY + SPECIAL OCCASION DECORATING | $25 per hour
This is a fantastic choice for the client who loves holiday decor but feels overwhelmed by the idea. Together we can work to find just the right color schemes and/or theme that will fit perfectly with your current home decor.
MISCELLANEOUS DESIGN SERVICES | $20 per hour
Design services include: hanging pictures, flower arrangements, custom furniture refinishing, custom painting, window treatments, furniture arranging, de-cluttering, organizing, vignettes, and more!
The ABCs of Decorating | A
By definition, something that is alluring is very attractive, enticing, fascinating, and charming. My personal explanation of what alluring is, "it draws you in; you feel pulled towards it."
How on earth does this relate to decorating?
Something I repeatedly ask my clients when choosing decor is "Do you love it?" My question is never "Where will you put it?" or "Does this go with your color scheme?" If you find yourself drawn to an item, get it! More times than not, it will fit seamlessly into your home.
Below are some photos of items in my home that were purchased solely because I felt drawn to them.
Since buying these zebra pillows six years ago, I have changed our living room colors from robin's egg blue to cream and flax. When I saw them at Target initially, I fell in love with them, but said to my very dear friend, "they don't go." She reminded me matchy-matchy is boring. She also brought up the most important thing to me, they reminded me of my dad. He passed away in 2005 from melanoma. Zebra print was the official "color" for the melanoma awareness ribbon.
Something else that reminds me of my dad, way more than the pillows, is this quote from Abraham Lincoln. He said, "Live a good life and in the end, it's not the years in a life, it's the life in the years." My dad was a shining example of that. He lived a good life. He always chose joy.
These silly, beautiful black and cream etched bowls from Anthropologie are my latest purchase of something I love. I was instantly drawn to it while visiting Birmingham several weeks ago. I had no idea what I'd do with one bowl, but I bought it. I LOVED it. I realized how well they go with our white dishes after I got home. So glad I picked up that one, but seriously wish I'd discovered them before they hit the clearance section!
While living in Europe, we had the opportunity to buy some really cool items. I was constantly drawn to the vintage crates, but kept coming back to that naughty question in my head, "What will I do with them?" My sweet husband bought this one for me and it is perfect on top of our bedroom armoire. This crate is from a Belgian mustard company. I love seeing it everyday as it reminds me of our amazing time living abroad.
This lovely sugar bowl is something I was initially drawn to because of the lines. I love the intricate curves of the handles and the delicate blue-grey flowers on it. When I picked it up and looked at the bottom, I saw it was made in the 1800s in Bavaria. Well, that did it for me. I purchased this sugar bowl and it's matching creamer. I had intentions of reselling the sugar bowl and keeping on the creamer. (I have a thing for pitchers and creamers.) I placed the sugar bowl on our mantel just as a holding place. The longer it sat there, the more I fell in love with it.
It now sits opposite an old ironstone creamer I found at a local shop and I love how it all looks together. I'm even keeping an eye out for another sugar bowl or two.
Your home should be a carefully curated collection of items that bring you peace and joy. That is the entire purpose of home decor after all. Decorating a home is personal. Each item is something special to you. It could be the colors of a painting speak to you. Perhaps you find yourself drawn to the shape and lines of a particular chair. Maybe there is an antique pitcher that reminds you of Saturday mornings in your grandmother's kitchen. Whatever the reason, if you love something, it belongs in your home. Choose heart over head in the case of home decor.
September Darlings
I've been working on developing new content for my blog that isn't solely furniture painting and room makeovers. I will absolutely still be including both of these, but I am adding a few things as well. One new feauture will be a monthly selection of my favorite things. These favorites, which I call my "darlings," are things I currently own, use, or have on my wish list. I hope my monthly darlings inspire you.
Hot off the press is Miss Mustard Seed's first look book for her milk paint line. I was ecstatic to find this at my local milk paint vendor. This book feels and reads like a magazine, but it is chock full of milk paint expert tips and tricks. Each color in the line is highlighted in two full spreads. I would seriously buy it for the photos alone. It is highly inspiring.
I have purchased these pumpkins from Paula in the past and I cannot say enough good things about them. Paula is an organic farmer in Montana. (She also grows lavender!) She carefully selects pumpkins that are attractive and look well together. They arrive clean and ready for display. I cannot wait to receive my shipment this year!
My family and I started using essential oils in January and we have been so pleased with the results they achieve. I feel good about using natural remedies for my children. Thieves blend is awesome because it smells like autumn. But the best part is the immune boosting properties it has. We have been diffusing this daily in our home lately.
4. Anthropologie Black Etched Bowls
Sadly, there is no link for these gorgeous bowls. I stumbled upon one at the Anthro in Birmingham last month and I snagged it. I asked if there were any more in store, but there were not. I've since acquired two more thanks to eBay, but I am on the lookout for more. I love the intricate black and white detailing on the outside and the subtle blue ombre on the inside. Our dishes are white and I love the contrast these bowls add to our kitchen.
This is one of those things that is simply on my wish list. I have read excellent reviews of Tourance throws and I am dying to try one out for myself. This oversize gray throw is discontinued, but I have seen it on One King's Lane from time to time. A cozy throw is a definite must as the cooler weather approaches!
6. L'oreal Gel Lacque in "Elegance is Innate"
You can find this awesome nail polish at any big box store. I picked mine up at Target. I absolutely love this system. Not only does it last for nearly two weeks (and that is with my painting, sanding, staining, etc), it goes on easily and dries super quickly. That is a must for me. This blue is a sophisticated navy perfect for fall. I can't get enough.
Makeover Monday | Union Jack Coffee Table
Yes, I love alliteration. Maybe too much? It sounds clever in my mind and I can't think of anything else more witty for my post titles. I'll be working on that.
So, I have missed the past two Fridays. It's been busy around here, folks. But I've missed doing my regular Friday posts. It's the one constant for me on my blog. Which brings me to a question. What would you like to see more of on the blog? I'm working on developing recurring content throughout the week. If you have any ideas or desires, please share them with me!!!
On we go. I picked up this super cute little accent/coffee table at a local mission thrift store. I thought it was cute and I loved the legs. For the love, I swear I took a before shot, but alas, I cannot find it.
My original intention was to slap some lovely ironstone milk paint on it and call it a day. But then I started painting with a mix of french enamel and typewriter. I came up with a rich grey that had some nice blue undertones.
As I was painting the top, I suddenly realized it was the perfect size and shape to try out a Union Jack accent.
I was so excited to try out this design. For the stripes, I used ironstone and typewriter. I definitely needed two coats of each.
This cute little table was not in the best condition when I picked it up. So, I decided to embrace the super distressed look.
I sanded quite a bit and I even used a razor to add some big chips and marks. It was pretty fun doing this technique and I am sure I will be using it more often.
After the paint dried and I removed the tape, I sanded the stripes quite a bit as well. I wanted them to look very worn and blended together. I love how it all turned out.
I am loving the combination of this dark, distressed piece with flowy white drapes, colorful bedding, and a lush, faux fur accent rug.
Paint truly is amazing, isn't it? I don't think I will ever stop loving transforming these forgotten pieces into something lovely.
