Home

08.28.2023

How to Install Outdoor Lighting

Installing exterior lights can feel overwhelming, but I’m sharing how to install outdoor lighting THE EASY WAY!

This post is a sponsored post by Enbrighten. I take pride in reviewing only products that fit my brand and will be beneficial to my readers. While this post is sponsored, all the opinions are my own.

We have had Enbrighten outdoor lighting in the past and absolutely loved them. They survived our harsh Indiana winters and wind. Unfortunately, our house was struck by lightning not too long ago and as a result, we lost almost all of our electronics (including my beautiful Enbrighten Cafe Lights). When I had the opportunity to partner with them again, I was excited. Their product is so impressive.

Here’s a before of our backyard without lighting:

And an after:

To create this look, we used:

Wifi Cafe Lights

These cafe lights are among the best I have ever tried. They have linkable strands (connect up to 750 feet), and the bulbs are impact-resistant (commercial-grade construction). Installation isn’t hard:

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

We dug a hole 24″ deep and cemented a 4×4 pole and connected two strands of cafe lights from the pole to our home. Here’s the wire rope string light hanging kit I used.

Wifi Flex Lights

These flex lights have a thin profile that can easily be shaped around corners or laid in a line. We outlined our covered back porch with them, but they would be perfect for a walkway or landscaping as well. They come with clips which I used to install them on the house, but they also come with stakes if you want to use them in your landscaping design.

The flex lights are high-quality LEDs and each 2-3 inch section showcases the endless color combination possibilities.

Wifi Landscaping Lights

These landscaping lights allow for easy installation. Simply place them on the ground using the included stakes or mount them via the keyholes. They are commercial grade with burial grade cable and UL-rated for permanent outdoor installation.

I love that you don’t have to buy the power supply, lights, and cord separately. The lights are an all-in-one solution.

Not only are these lights quality and easy to install, but they are all fully controlled using an app, AND you can choose between 62 colors with the ability to select two and three-color combinations.

Also, you can group your lights together so they are all controlled at one time. I grouped my Cafe lights, landscape lights, and flex lighting. With a touch of a button, I can change my lighting.

The Enbrighten app and products are compatible with Google Home and Alexa.

For pool parties with my son’s football team, we can change the lights to our school colors:

Or host a Halloween bash and make things a little creepy:

Or bring out the red, white, and blue for the 4th:

The color options are so fun, and you can even make them twinkle or slowly run through all the colors.

If you’re looking for outdoor lighting that is quality AND easy to install, you have found it! The Wi-Fi capabilities and color options are the icing on the cake!

Are you new to my blog? Go HERE to see my home tour and HERE to shop for items I use in our home.

Find me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest

Leave A Comment

Paint

08.08.2023

How to Paint a Room: Tips and Tricks

Learn how to paint a room along with tips and tricks for making it look like it was done by a professional.

This post is a sponsored post by Purdy. I take pride in reviewing only products that fit my brand and will be beneficial to my readers. While this post is sponsored, all the opinions are my own.

Prep the Room

Before you begin to paint a room, you will need to prep the room.

Clear the Room and Protect Furniture

Move all furniture to the center of the room and cover it.

Fix and Clean the Walls

Carefully inspect the walls for cracks, holes, dents, or other imperfections. Scrape cracked or flaking paint and sand any small bumps. Use a putty knife and lightweight spackling compound to fill and repair holes and cover imperfections.

Wipe walls clean with a damp towel or sponge. If you are painting in the kitchen with grease spots, use mild dish soap to clean the spots. Allow walls to completely dry before proceeding.

Make a Plan

Maintain efficiency by getting enough paint. A gallon of paint can roughly cover between 350 to 400 square feet of wall space.

This is a great time to test out your chosen paint color. Most likely the paint swatch you found in the store won’t look the same in your home.

Lighting changes the appearance of the paint color, and I love to purchase small samples and paint different areas of the room before I fully commit to a color.

Trim with Painter’s Tape

Mask off trim, windows, and door frames. Press the tape firmly in place to prevent paint from seeping underneath or bleeding through.

If you use Purdy® Clearcut brushes, you don’t need to use painter’s tape. They provide excellent cut-in ability and create well-defined lines, making edging easy.

Cover the Floors with Drop Cloths

Cover the floors with drop cloths to protect them from paint drips and splatters.

Canvas drop cloths are durable and absorbent. They can also be reused, and in my opinion, are worth the additional cost.
Plastic drop cloths are durable and budget-friendly but NOT absorbent. Dripped paint is more likely to be tracked if stepped on.

Prime the Walls

A quality primer is always recommended when painting a room – especially if you’re painting from a darker color to a lighter color. Primer helps hide imperfections and gives the finished coat of paint a uniform look.

Mix the Paint

Use a wooden stick to mix the paint. The ingredients in your paint can separate which could compromise the true color you are going for.

Invest in Quality Brushes, Rollers, and Paint

Invest in quality brushes, rollers, and paint. The painting job will go quicker and easier – and look better in the end. Clean your brushes and rollers well, and they will last a long time.

It’s also important to buy the best paint you can afford. It’ll go on easily, offer the best coverage, and last a long time.

Paint One Wall at a Time

Paint one wall at a time. Take a brush and cut in and follow up with the paint roller. When applying paint with the roller, use long strokes in a W pattern for ample coverage (and to avoid roller marks).

Before reloading your roller and moving on to the next section, roll over the area you’ve just painted in a smooth, continuous stroke from top to bottom to catch drips and help hide lines.

Overlap areas already painted and lightly lift the roller off the wall to avoid leaving end marks.

Once the wall is dry to the touch, it’s ready for a second coat.

Clean Up

Once the painting is done, remove all the painter’s tape. Gather drop cloths – make sure any spills are dry before you move them.

Clean the paintbrushes with soapy water and use the brush to clean and reshape the bristles. You can use the 5-in-1 tool to remove excess paint from your roller under running water. The tool is also useful for opening a can of paint, removing nails, and scraping.

Additional Painting Tips

Cover your paint bucket, tray, or container when switching between brushing and rolling – this will keep your paint and tools from drying out.

Make sure your room is well-ventilated by opening windows and using fans. The fans are an added bonus since they will speed up drying time.

Are you new to my blog? Go HERE to see my home tour and HERE to shop for items I use in our home.

Find me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest

Leave A Comment

Paint

07.26.2023

Dusty Lavender Paint Color

While searching for the perfect color for our main bedroom, I never expected to choose a dusty lavender paint color. But, I did!

This post is a sponsored post by Dutch Boy® I take pride in reviewing only products that fit my brand and will be beneficial to my readers. While this post is sponsored, all the opinions are my own.

Dutch Boy® Platinum® Plus Paint

The room is painted in 445-2DB Silver Plated by Dutch Boy. I used Platinum® Plus Cabinet Door and Trim Paint for the doors and trim and Platinum® Plus Interior Paint + Primer for the walls.

I was painting over a fairly dark color and expected to have to use two coats. However, this paint is pretty incredible, and paired with a Purdy paint roller, only required one coat.

The previous color was a blue-green which was pretty but much darker than I preferred. After testing out several colors (everything from lavenders to blushes to pale blues), a dusty lavender paint color was the winner.

Here’s a look at the room BEFORE:

And here’s the AFTER:

Dusty Lavender Paint Color

I love the new color, 445-2DB Silver Plated by Dutch Boy Paints. It is sophisticated but relaxing – the perfect combination for a bedroom.

Lavender in Decor

This soft, calming shade of purple is more neutral than you might think. It has a hue of gray, which makes it a little cooler than the traditional lavender you’re used to seeing.

In an Elle Decor article about the 2023 decor trends, they discuss that soft, dusty shades of lavender (and lilac) pose the “much-needed cautious optimism and escapism that people are craving post-pandemic, and even in times of budget crunch, it is imaginative and creative but also speaks of hope and balance.”

The color does look more lavender at times throughout the day depending on the natural sunlight, and I have to admit my husband was a little hesitant about the new color at first.

However, after moving the furniture back in place, Silver Plated 445-2DB really does act as a neutral and is now husband-approved.

What do you think of lavender? If you’re not already using it in home decor, would you?

Are you new to my blog? Go HERE to see my home tour and HERE to shop for items I use in our home.

Find me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest

Leave A Comment

Paint

06.07.2023

How to Choose a Paint Roller

Today I’m sharing how to choose a paint roller because paint rollers are a wonderful tool for painting.

This post is a sponsored post by Purdy. I take pride in reviewing only products that fit my brand and will be beneficial to my readers. While this post is sponsored, all the opinions are my own.

A paint roller applies paint faster and more evenly on surfaces than a paintbrush.

Paint rollers consist of a handle, a metal frame, and a metal roller that holds a paint roller cover. Despite the simplicity of the tool, there are many options for size, fabric, and nap.

SIZE

There are a variety of paint roller sizes that range from 4″ to 18″.

4″ mini rollers are great for touch-ups, corners, windowsills, furniture, cabinets, and even doors.

6″ or 7″ rollers work well for painting baseboards, corners, furniture, and reaching behind the toilet to paint the wall.

9″ rollers are the most common size for projects. They are large enough to quickly cover the walls but not so long they are difficult to control around details and trim.

12″ or longer rollers can be heavy and are more difficult to control, but they do cover a lot of surface area in the least amount of time. I would suggest leaving these larger rollers to the professionals, and I personally prefer the classic 9″ roller.

FABRIC

SYNTHETIC MATERIAL is effective with water-based latex paints and is suitable for any surface texture. Synthetic material doesn’t shed and creates a smooth, even finish.

NATURAL FIBER (lambs wool or mohair) is ideal for oil-based paints and painting on any surface texture.

BLENDED – When polyester and wool are combined, they get the extra pickup of wool with polyester for a longer life. Blended fabric can be used with all paint types.

MICROFIBER works well for semi-gloss and high-gloss finishes.

FOAM works well with oil or high-gloss latex paints. Foam is best on ultra smooth surfaces like furniture and cabinets.

NAP

The roller cover nap or pile height (the thickness of the fibers) varies from low to high based on the surface you are painting.

Low-nap rollers pick up less paint, while high-nap rollers pick up and hold more paint.

1/4″ Very Smooth to Smooth – Cabinets, metal doors, and trim.

3/8″ Smooth to Semi-Smooth – Smooth walls and ceilings.

1/2″ Semi-Smooth to Semi-Rough – Textured walls, decks, and concrete.

3/4″ Semi-Rough to Rough – Textured ceilings and stucco

1″ Rough to Extra Rough – Brick and Masonry block.

1 1/4″ Extra Rough – Rough textured concrete.

PAINT ROLLER TIPS:

When your paint roller slides instead of rolls:

Paint rollers have a metal roller attached to a frame that is designed to rotate, so if the paint roller is sliding instead of rolling, you have overloaded the roller with paint. The roller will slide and smear instead of smoothly rolling. Use the paint tray to offload some paint from the roller.

Cleaning your paint roller so you can use it for a future project:

Try using Purdy Contractor 5-in-1 tool. It works as a scraper and putty remover, opens cracks for patching and applying putty, AND it also cleans your roller by helping to remove all the excess paint.

Are you new to my blog? Go HERE to see my home tour and HERE to shop for items I use in our home.

Find me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest

Leave A Comment

DIY

05.13.2023

How To Stripe Your Lawn

If you want to know how to stripe your lawn, I know THE EASIEST way to create a neighbor-envying yard.

This post is a sponsored post by Toro. I take pride in reviewing only products that fit my brand and will be beneficial to my readers. While this post is sponsored, all the opinions are my own.

Our front yard is healthy, but we use a large mower to cut our yard which means striping isn’t going to happen.

We have used Toro lawn products for years and are big fans of their products. When I had the opportunity to test out the new Toro Max 21″ Stripe Mower, I was excited.

Stripe is 25% lighter than other battery-powered mowers. It is so easy to maneuver and creates beautiful yard stripes with Toro’s patent-pending engineering.

Its dual blade cuts and recuts the grass into fine clippings which means less work.

You can customize the speed with an easily adjustable speed control knob and activate max power mode with the push of a button.

Toro’s 60V Max Flex-Force Battery provides up to 65 minutes of runtime on a single charge, and it powers so many different Toro power tools – including their trimmer.

You can get $20 off select Toro 60V handheld tools now through 5/31. Do you want your own beautiful striped lawn? Enter HERE for your chance to win a Toro prize pack which includes:

60V 60V Max Stripe Mower
Leaf Blower
String Trimmer (which includes a stick edger, cultivator, and pole saw attachments)
Chainsaw
Hedge Trimmer
Toro branded Babbleboxx with backyard fun goodies

Are you new to my blog? Go HERE to see my home tour and HERE to shop for items I use in our home.

Find me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest

Leave A Comment

Paint

04.24.2023

Beige Paint is Back

I know, I know, most of you don’t want to hear that beige paint is back.

This post is a sponsored post by Dutch Boy. I take pride in reviewing only products that fit my brand and will be beneficial to my readers. While this post is sponsored, all the opinions are my own.

When we moved into our home almost a decade ago, the first thing I did was paint over all the beige that filled our home. And now here I am, painting it back. But, after years of shades of gray, warmer colors are making a comeback.

Our dining room was a grayish green, but as much as I tried, the color never really worked for me. There is only one west-facing window in the room, and I wanted to brighten up the space.

After sampling several colors, Boy Mortar and Pestle 406-3DB was the winner. It has a very warm undertone and can look slightly pink in the evening light – which is exactly what I envisioned for our dining room.

I used Dutch Boy Platinum® Plus Interior Paint + Primer in an eggshell finish for the walls and painted all the trim the same color using Dutch Boy Platinum Plus Cabinet, Door, and Trim Paint in a Semi-Gloss Finish.

I love this paint, and I will admit I am a paint snob. It is high quality with great coverage, and I purchase mine at Menards (where they have some of the best people working the paint counter).

Beige Paint is Back

Champagnes, off-whites, and beiges are coming our way. They are subtle, calming, and dignified – the perfect backdrop for any home or style.

Before I continue on about how much I’m loving these updated beige paint colors, realize that your home is YOUR home. Use paint colors in your home that you love. You don’t have to follow the trends.

The beiges coming back are not those we remember from the 2000s.

The walls are Dutch Boy Mortar and Pestle 406-3DB and the buffet is Dutch Boy’s 2023 Color of the Year: Rustic Greige 404-4DB

The beiges you’ll see will feel more modern with more unique tones available.

Beige is an underrated neutral that has the ability to work with almost any color. You may be thinking white also has this ability (and white is huge in decor right now), but it does lack the warmth of beige.

Don’t discount beige – you may want to give it a second chance. It is sunny, warm, and inviting.

If you’re not quite ready for beige but need a change, try greige! It is the perfect blend of a little gray and a little beige.

Are you new to my blog? Go HERE to see my home tour and HERE to shop for items I use in our home.

Find me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest

Shop the Post

Shop

Leave A Comment

Paint

04.04.2023

How to Clean Paintbrushes

Before we discuss how to clean paintbrushes, the quality of the paint tools you use is just as important as care and technique.

Good quality brushes will cost more than standard-grade brushes, but investing in quality brushes will make a huge difference in a smooth paint job and last longer with proper cleaning and storage.

This post is a sponsored post by Purdy. I take pride in reviewing only products that fit my brand and will be beneficial to my readers. While this post is sponsored, all the opinions are my own.

Paintbrushes come in two main bristle types: Synthetic and Natural.

Synthetic Paintbrushes

Synthetic paintbrushes are best for latex or water-based paints and stains.

Synthetic bristles are made from nylon, polyester, or a combination of both. These bristles are stiffer than natural animal hair and do not absorb water and offer shape retention and a smooth finish.

Natural Paintbrushes

Natural paintbrushes are best for oil-based paints and stains.

Natural bristles have split ends which allow the brush to hold more paint and release it evenly. They readily absorb water which means they can quickly become limp.

It is always best to clean paint brushes (and rollers) as soon as possible post-painting. Paint is harder to clean once it dries, so proper cleaning and storage of paintbrushes are important.

Tip for Storing your Paintbrush in the middle of a paint job:

If you’re not able to wash your brush right away, try wrapping it in cling wrap or put it in a baggie (clip off the corner and stick the handle out). You will avoid the brush drying out.

How to Clean Synthetic Paintbrushes:

Wash Brushes

Use warm water and soap or mild detergent to clean the paint from your brushes, gently working the soap through the bristles until the water runs clear.

Soften dried-on paint with hot soapy water and work quickly.

Once the dried paint has softened, work the soap or detergent through the brush bristles and rinse. Continue to repeat the process as necessary.

For best results, use a Purdy® Brush Comb or Brush and Roller Cleaner to straighten bristles and place the brush in its protective keeper.

Dry Brushes

Once clean, hang them to dry before reusing or storing them.

Store Brushes

The best way to store paintbrushes is by replacing their original protective cover. This helps keep the bristles intact and helps the brush to maintain its original form.

*You should never use natural bristle brushes for latex or water-based paints and stains. If you make this mistake, clean the brush with warm soapy water and let it dry completely. Then, use a dime-sized amount of linseed oil and work it into the bristles. You may need to repeat this step several times to completely repair the brush. Once soft, comb out the brush and place it in its original keeper until you’re ready to use it again.

How to Clean Natural Paintbrushes:

Wash Brushes

Clean your paintbrush immediately after use and check the back of the can label for the manufacturer’s recommended *cleaning solution. Using a lined paint tray or another disposable container, work the solution into the bristles to remove the coating by dipping and swirling the bristles against the surface. Change the solution periodically when it gets too dirty and do not soak.

*Read the cleaning solution’s label instructions on how to properly dispose of the used cleaning solution.

Dry Brushes

Once the bristles are clean, use a Purdy Brush Comb or Brush and Roller Cleaner to straighten the bristles and ring out extra water.

Store Brushes

Store your brushes in the sleeve they came in so that the bristles remain flat and protected. Keep the cardboard covers with which costlier brushes are sold and put them back on for storage.

If properly cared for you will get many services from a good brush. Taking the time to clean and store them properly is important to their longevity.

Are you new to my blog? Go HERE to see my home tour and HERE to shop for items I use in our home.

Find me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest

Shop the Post

Shop

Leave A Comment

Home

03.16.2023

Modular Sectional Sofa

We recently added a three-seater modular sectional sofa from Ecomfy to our home, and so far, it’s been fantastic!

This post is a sponsored post by Ecomfy I take pride in reviewing only products that fit my brand and will be beneficial to my readers. While this post is sponsored, all the opinions are my own.

Modular Sectional Sofas – Ecomfy Review

Modular Sectional Sofas allow you to create the perfect sofa for your space since they are easy to move and change. Because the seats act individually as well as with a group, you can take them apart and easily move them. Additionally, the sofas will grow with your family as you can enlarge and add more seats.

Ecomfy – the Sofa in a Box

Ecomfy is a sofa in a box – the entire sectional comes in boxes delivered to your door. The individual seats come in their own box. Assembly is easy and tools are not required.

Eco-Friendly

The sofas are eco-friends as they use Reforested wood and recycled fabrics. Undoubtedly Ecomfy is working hard to help save the planet by not providing customers with a product that ends up filling landfills.

Stress-Free

I now own my first ever light couch because Ecomfy sofas are completely washable, stain-resistant, and kid/pet friendly. The sofa fabric can be removed and washed – from the cushions to the pillows.

Ecomfy is a Sofa for Life

Ecomfy is a sofa for life. You won’t need to buy a new sofa every few years since the durability and quality of their materials are superior to their competitors. Additionally, if you change your decor style, you can replace the covers with a different fabric and color!

Family Business

Ecomfy is a family business with a passion to produce the very best in furniture for the last 26 years. I had the pleasure of meeting the owners here in the Indianapolis showroom. They impressed me with both their kindness and their amazing product.

Are you new to my blog? Go HERE to see my home tour and HERE to shop for items I use in our home.

Find me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest

Leave A Comment

DIY

03.08.2023

How to Hang a Mural

I recently installed the most beautiful landscape mural from Belarte Studio and wanted to share How to Hang a Mural.

Belarte Studio brings life to unique art expressions through designed wall murals. They are based in Sweden and production is made on-demand (which means zero waste).

Belarte is the Italian word for beautiful art – which is exactly what this vintage landscape mural is.

This post is a sponsored post by Belarte Studio I take pride in reviewing only products that fit my brand and will be beneficial to my readers. And while this post is sponsored, all the opinions are my own.

How to Hang a Mural

Installation isn’t hard, but it does take some time and patience. Belarte Studio includes fantastic instructions for hanging with your mural.

Supplies

Before you begin, make sure you have the right tools for installation:

Belarte Studio Wallpaper (and included instructions)
Seam Roller
Smoothing Brush or Tool
Level
Sponge & Water
Razor Blade or Knife
Straight Edge
Pencil
Scissors
Brush/Roller for Paste
Wallpaper Paste

*For easier removal, I would recommend sizing the wall and using a wallpaper paste that is easily strippable.

Make sure the walls are clean and smooth. If you’ve done some repair work to the walls, be sure to have painted the patches.
Cut the mural into individual strips and place them in order.
Depending on the wall, you will need to decide where to start. Since my focal point was the top of the stairs (the left side), I began with my last panel.
Using a ruler, mark off the first panel so you know where to *add the wallpaper paste (and it helps you hang the first strip straight.
You will begin at the top of the strip and work down, removing any air bubbles along the way.
Since my pattern was in the middle of my strips, from the second panel on, I matched the middle. It was tricky but luckily the wallpaper paste gives (but you do have to work fast since dry time is quick).
Reat the process until the wall is complete and make sure to push out excess glue at the seams and use a seam roller to try and hide the seams.

*I use as little wallpaper paste as possible. I first applied with a paste brush and evenly smoothed the paste out with a roller.

And after an afternoon of installation, we now have a beautiful piece of art at the top of our stairway.

Need more wallpaper inspiration? Check out these posts:

Are you new to my blog? Go HERE to see my home tour and HERE to shop for items I use in our home.

Find me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest

Shop the Post

Shop

Leave A Comment

Decor

02.14.2023

15 Room Makeovers

This fall, we will celebrate a decade in our home. I thought it would be fun to share 15 room makeovers we’ve worked on over the past 10 years.

Most don’t have the resources to remodel a home before moving in, and creating a home you love takes time, energy, and money. Patience is key, and I hope these spaces inspire you to create!

15 Room Makeovers

Home Office

When we first moved in, I painted the desk the previous owner left behind, painted the walls, and added curtains and furniture from our previous home.

Since then, I’ve added a mural, built-in bookshelves, repainted the room, and installed marble floors.

Dining Room

This dining room is a space I still haven’t quite figured out. But, this is how it looked for our first Christmas.

Since that first year, I’ve added several wall treatments (I first tried a square wall treatment and later added the current paneled walls). It’s been painted several times and have a new table and chairs. We also installed an antique chandelier which used to belong to my grandparents and hung in their Iowa farmhouse.

Living Room

Our first year in the house, I got a little crazy with the walls. I painted the fireplace in stripes and used a stencil on either side of the fireplace.

Since moving in, I painted over the stripes and stencil with a deep navy. I added a unique paneled wall treatment to either side of the fireplace and replaced the furniture and rug we brought with us from our previous home.

Kitchen

When we first moved in, I painted our cabinets, but the layout of the kitchen was terrible. It was also very closed up from the living space.

After winning a competition with The Home Depot, we remodeled our kitchen five years ago and still love it!

Mudroom

Our back entry (the entry from the garage) is our mudroom. It was pretty boring with popcorn ceilings and some 90s white tile which showed every single spec of dirt.

Since then, I’ve painted the doors, covered the popcorn ceiling, added wallpaper, and replaced the floors.

Laundry Room

Our laundry room is gigantic, and at first I added antiques to add interest.

Since moving in, I painted the cabinets, installed subway tile, and replaced the white tile floors.

Main Bedroom

I am still trying to figure out our bedroom, but when we first moved in, we brought the furniture from our previous home.

Since then, I have painted the wall, replaced the furniture and carpet.

Main Bathroom

Our bathroom was very dates and the shower was unusable since it leaked.

This is the only remodel we hired out – mainly because we didn’t want to deal with the shower leak.

Main Closet

This is our most recent makeover, and it was a tough one! But the result speaks for itself.

It is so pretty now, and this remodel was one of the more time consuming remodels.

Bonus Room

Our bonus room (the room over the garage) is our family room.

We painted the walls, the carpet has been updated, and the biggest change is definitely the addition of skylights.

I have added an accent wall since I took the after photo.

Playroom

When we first moved in, the kids were young and we had a playroom.

Since then (and Covid), the playroom is now my husband’s home office since the kids are now teens and preteens.

Boys’ Room

When we first moved in, the boys were young so obviously their room has changed some as well.

My boys are both so tall, so we did switch out their twin beds for doubles, added a wall treatment, wallpaper, and new furniture.

Boys’ Bathroom

This room was bland and boring for several years.

I added wallpaper, a new vanity, had new floors installed and painted the walls.

Girl’s Room

When we moved in, my daughter was 2. She’s now a preteen, so she has an opinion on what she wanted in her space and helped me redesign the room.

I created a marquee sign, and we painted the walls and bought her a larger bed.

Girl’s Bathroom

This bathroom was boring and needed to be a little more fun.

I tiled the walls and floors, added a new vanity and installed wallpaper.

Are you new to my blog? Go HERE to see my home tour and HERE to shop for items I use in our home.

Find me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest

Leave A Comment

DIY

01.27.2023

Closet Makeover

We spent most of January remodeling our closet, and although it was a big project, it was worth all the nights and weekends. The closet makeover is so beautiful, and it feels good to declutter a space that had become our catch-all for the past nine years – and the perfect way to start off the new year!

This post is a sponsored post by Whalen Furniture. I take pride in reviewing only products that fit my brand and will be beneficial to my readers. And while this post is sponsored, all the opinions are my own.

Last fall, I visited High Point Market, and one of the many showrooms I toured was Whalen Furniture. I was really excited about their closet systems in partnership with Scott Living (Drew and Jonathan Scott) and knew it was time to makeover our closet. I instantly fell in love with the sophisticated look of the Robin closet system.

I ordered seven units in total, and they were delivered straight to our home – four hanging/drawer systems and three glass door systems.

Besides our closet being ridiculously gigantic, the DIY to our dream closet took quite a bit of time and energy.

Demolition

Steve and the boys removed the previous shelving units in the closet.

Prep Work

I (with the help of my dad) did the prep work. I skimmed the walls, removed the trim, and painted the walls (and trim).

Cabinet Build

While I was working on the prep by day, Steve and I spent our nights and weekends building the units. It definitely was a two-person job and took close to two hours per unit. We got faster with the builds as we went along, but we did find that we spent quite a bit of time leveling drawers and doors.

We used RTA (ready-to-assemble) in our kitchen remodel, so we had experience with leveling cabinets, doors, and drawers. If you aren’t familiar with this, it’s not difficult but it does require time and patience.

Install

We did not install any cabinets until we had them all built. This allowed us to move things around and play with the layout. Once we had a plan, we leveled the cabinets (there are adjustable feet on the bottom) and found studs to mount the closet systems to.

Here are a few before and afters of the closet:

For the first time ever, I actually love walking into our closet. It is so peaceful and beautiful!

A couple of tips we learned along the way with the closet systems:

The lower sections work well for shoe racks. I found some inexpensive black show racks on Amazon that fit perfectly.
The hanging rod sections are short. They worked perfectly for my clothes but we had to raise them for my husband. We added some additional hanging racks since my dresses and my husband’s suits were too long for the rod cabinet.
We were lucky that our closet was so large because it would be hard to get the closet systems into the closet already built. It’s doable but would be a little awkward.

This is definitely a project that required a lot of time and energy, BUT it was worth it for the end result. As my daughter said, I now have a closet fit for a Kardashian! 🙂

Are you new to my blog? Go HERE to see my home tour and HERE to shop for items I use in our home.

Find me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest

Shop the Post

Shop

Leave A Comment

Paint

12.16.2022

Decorating with Moss Green

From kitchen cabinets to house plants, green is a home décor trend right now and today we’re going to talk specifically about decorating with moss green (but you can learn more about decorating with deeper greens here)

I partnered with Amy Howard Home to share their Color of the Month. This is a new monthly subscription where Color of the Month subscribers will receive a new color every month exclusive to the club. This month’s Color of the Month is Happily Ever After, and it is a warm, moss green – which is why we’re talking about all things green!

In nature, green symbolizes growth, harmony, and tranquility which makes it a great color to add to your own home and create a peaceful feel throughout.

The color of the month is a mossy green – the last color to shine before the air starts to cool in the fall. It’s a warm yellow-green that is a bit whimsical.

Because green is associated with nature and plants, it is an energizing hue. Even a touch of green can breathe life into any space. You can pair green-color home décor pieces with houseplants for double the impact.

Green is nature’s neutral. Have you ever brought a plant into a room and thought that it clashed? Probably not!

Green is one of those colors that can be both trendy and traditional. An earthy hue that evokes images of lush grass and fresh air, green is a color that easily brings the outdoors in and helps calm and balances a space.

COLOR THEORY

On the visible spectrum, green sits between blue and yellow. In painting and printing, green is a secondary color, meaning that it is created by mixing two primary colors—yellow and blue.

SHADES AND TINTS OF GREEN

Green can vary in both shades (in which the green is mixed with black for a darker green) and tints (which are mixed with white, to produce a paler result). But, there is also a broad range of green varieties that are mixed with other colors, such as yellow, blue, gray, and brown.

Yellow greens such as mossy green, chartreuse (named after the French liquor which shares the distinctive color), and lime green have a lively, energetic feel.

Blue greens such as sea green, aqua, and teal have more subtle energy which helps designs feel calmer and chicer. These colors are associated with emotional healing.

Gray greens like seafoam and sage are wintery and more somber than their yellow- and blue-green relations.

Brown greens like dark olive have a formal and dignified air, which explains why they are often selected for military uniforms. Olive green is the traditional color of peace.

Using moss green in your home can help you feel closer to nature and encourage relaxation and a serene environment – excellent qualities to have in your bedroom. Green is believed to be the easiest color for our eyes to process, and for that reason works to help calm us down.

Here are some of my favorite color combinations with green:

Green + Blue

These two colors often appear in nature together which is probably why they look so good indoors as well.

Green + White

Pairing moss green with lighter white gives it an instant tropical vibe, especially if you throw in a pop of yellow.

Green + Green

Just like in nature, layer hues of greens with each other for a fun look.

Green + Taupe

Taupe is gray-brown and has an earthy feel which makes it match well with moss green. It’s a very subtle color combination.

Moss green is a rich, vibrant earthy tone that will add grounding and depth to your home when used. There are so many different ways to incorporate this shade, from the most subtle to the most grandiose. When done the right way, this hue can give your home a relaxed, calming feel that makes unwinding after a busy day all the more enjoyable.

If you aren’t quite ready to tackle painting your room moss green or are looking for less permanent ways to incorporate the color through your home, then why not start with your home décor?

*This post contains affiliate links and is a sponsored post by Amy Howard at Home. I take pride in reviewing only products that fit my brand and will be beneficial to my readers. And while this post is sponsored, all the opinions are my own.

Are you new to my blog? Go HERE to see my home tour and HERE to shop for items I use in our home.

Find me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest

Shop the Post

Shop

Leave A Comment