The other day I did something I haven’t done in a really, really long time. I painted. Not on a wall, not on a floor, but on a canvas. I had seen some artwork in the Ballard Designs catalog and fell in love with it. I’d been scouring places for something to hang in my front entryway above my console table. Something colorful to add to the neutral colors on the wall. I loved the soothing blend of colors and the beachy feel of this piece. It reminded me of the beaches here on Cape Cod. I just wasn’t too keen on the $450 price tag. I decided to try out my own version. I bought a large canvas and some acrylic paint in shades of white, blues, green and brown. I traced out the general shape of the clouds and land and then just squirted some paint in each…
Read MoreAfter finding so many great inspiration photos showcasing my love of ottomans in the entryway I’m now applying it to my own entryway. I think. I’m trying to decide if I should have two ottomans or one ottoman and a basket. I love a good basket but I’m trying to avoid the dumping ground dilemma. Unless baskets have a designated purpose like magazine or extra toys they tend to become a junk collector. Our mudroom is downstairs so I don’t need it for shoes, etc. Let me know what look you like best and what use you would find for a basket in your front entryway?
Read MoreThere is something about the look of two ottomans tucked under a console table that I love. It could be the addition of fabric and color to an unused space. It might also be the convenience of extra seating that can be pulled into any room. Maybe it is the layered but uncluttered look that draws me in. I’m not sure which is my favorite reason. Regardless I love the look… via 2 design group via decorpad via ballard designs via pottery barn via designbylisa via hgtv via niche interiors via sightline
Read MoreI made my way to HomeGoods today. It’s been a while. I needed a basket and today the basket selection was full of some great selections… The rest of the items were some good finds which I thought I’d share. I always browse the clearance section and this magnetic board was only $8. Great idea for a family central area. If you turn it on its’ side you could use the magnetic part for notes and announcements. Then place a photograph or scrapbook paper behind the two framed sections. Using a dry erase marker write out reminders and schedules for the entire family. And yes, I should have probably taken the photo from a better angle. Burlap memo boards in some great colors. Can you tell organization was on my mind today? The lamp selection seems to have grown. I was tempted since there seemed to be two of every…
Read MoreThe days are starting to get longer here but I still find myself turning the lights on around 5 pm every day. We don’t have any overhead lighting in our living room, just three table lamps. They do an adequate job but the room still is dim. I wanted to brighten the room up a bit without adding more lamps. I like things light and bright and I love sun streaming in my windows. At night, I like a well lit room. The light bulbs I was using throughout the whole living room just weren’t bright enough for me. GE has come out with an energy efficient light bulb which helped me with all that. The GE reveal light bulb transforms a room by removing the dull yellow found in a standard light bulb. It is replaced with a clean, white light. I had been using soft white bulbs in…
Read MoreWe are in the middle of winter here in New England and I decided it was time my home had a boot tray. I was tired of a wet and slushy mudroom floor. Boot trays are a great way to corral the boots and keep your floors dry. The only problem is that I wanted a nice big plastic one which means my options weren’t too pretty. via gardener’s supply I purchased a large boot tray and tried to come up with a way to make it a bit more pleasant to the eye. I was thinking of maybe rocks, and then maybe some tile, when a brilliant friend of mine suggested rock tile. I headed over to Home Depot and found these tile… I purchased four tiles. Three fit perfectly and I ended up cutting up the third one to fill out the border. The boot tray fits right…
Read MoreMy entryway had become a catch all space. With a bookcase giving me plenty of opportunity to leave a mess I let clutter build up. If I find a surface on which to leave something, I will. By paring down my entryway to a simple and clean look I reduced the clutter I leave behind. Before I knew what I wanted I of course did some searches for inspiration. Here’s what I found… all image via houzz
Read MoreLast week I shared some samples of console shelves in various rooms throughout a home. My front entry way had an issue with clutter. I had placed a bookcase on the wall which at first was great. It held some picture frames, books and other decorations. It also hid the hideous radiator. As time went on I added baskets which then began to fill with junk. After a while the bookcase became a dumping ground. If I didn’t know where to put something I dumped it in one of the baskets. My pretty display bookcase had turned into a junkyard. Not to mention the front door hit it every time it was opened. I decided on a drastic change overall. I loved the look of a simple, clean, open space so the bookcase moved to my sons’ shared bedroom. Once the space was empty I stenciled the wall which has…
Read MoreWhen I redid my three season porch a couple months ago I felt that the timing was off. It had taken me all summer to paint the ceiling, paint the walls, paint stripes on the floors, find furniture on Craigslist, hang some sheers, add some lighting and make some pillows. The cold weather came rolling in and the porch was not used anymore. I still enjoy it every day though. My kitchen window which is over my sink looks out onto the porch. There is also a door next to the refrigerator which is the porch access. I wish I had taken a before picture from the same angle but I was basically looking out onto this… When your space is as gray and dismal as the weather outside it does not leave you with that warm and fuzzy feeling. The view to the outside might be snow, snow and more…
Read MoreThe master bedroom in my home is another one where I basically painted it, added some drapes and called it a day. It needs more but I just haven’t figured that out yet. I’m waiting for that picture in a catalog or that pin on Pinterest to grab me. It always happens but with the master bedroom it just hasn’t happened yet. Until that time it is a calm and comfortable room. Benjamin Moore’s Shabby Chic is on the walls which is a perfect neutral for a bedroom. The drapes are from Pier 1 Imports with some sheers underneath. I’m not sure where those are from since my mother and I did a “sheer trade.” She gave me hers and I gave her mine. I like to shop not only my home but my family’s as well! The bedding is from Pottery Barn. All the furniture was made by my…
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