Tuesday, June 30, 2015

How to Create a "Beachy" Look in Your Bathroom

(Photo Credit: nauticalcottageblog.com)



With summer arriving, beach lovers are rejoicing. For those of us who can’t get enough of the sand and salt water, bringing that beach style into your home can be a great option. Using this decor in your bathroom is a fitting place to do so because most of us want it to be a place of calm and serenity. It is easy to go overboard with the beachy items if you aren’t careful but with these simple tips you can get just the right amount of that feel that you are looking for. 

(Photo Credit: thespacebetweenblog.net)


  Use Shells in Your Décor
Collecting interesting shells is a favorite pass time of us beach-lovers. What can I do with all these gems, you ask? Put them in glass containers, like mason jars or vases, and place them in groupings throughout your bathroom! This will instantly create a beachy feel!

(Photo Credit: getsetorganize.com))
  Incorporate Ropes
Ropes immediately make us think nautical when we see them used in décor. Get creative and use a rope as a towel holder to create a beach vibe in your bathroom like pictured above. Mirrors with a rope as a border and hanger is are also an interesting option that isn’t too overdone. 


(Photo Credit: homeandgarden.craftgossip.com)










Make Your Own DIY Candle Holder
Here is a simple and cute option when going for a beachy bathroom. Pick up some glass candle holders and thin rope from your local craft store. You can then hot glue the rope to the candle holders and add starfish and twine as a decorative touch on top. 

(Photo Credit: bloglovin.com)

Select a Tranquil Paint Color
Choosing a tranquil paint color as a backdrop for your beachy bathroom is a must. The paint color in any given room truly sets the tone for the whole space. If you have conflicting décor and paint, your end result will not be nearly as impactful. The Sherwin Williams swatches shown above are all great options for your beachy bathroom.
 

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Beyond Souvenirs: Great Things to Buy on Vacation for Your Home

-->
Summer is officially in full swing and I know I can’t be the only one dreaming of vacation. While imagining myself on the beach somewhere, an idea hit me. How can I turn some of my unfortunately forgotten souvenirs into pieces that I can enjoy every day? I thought of enormous collection of postcards, and shells that are sitting in random boxes and drawers around my home, and I began to brainstorm. So here are a few of my favorite ways to give old (and new) souvenirs a brand new life.



(Photo Credit: apartmenttherapy.com)

Post Card Display:
Like I said, my postcard collection has grown to quite an inspiring number. But, want a better way to display them than one or two on the fridge. I like things to be as neat and organized as possible so I love the idea of creating a framed collage, or an organized grid under a glass top. Or even make display stands from rocks, pieces of driftwood, anything really that came from the same trip as the post cards, and attached them with florist wire.



(Photo Credit: sandandsisal.com)

Shell Art:
Time to tackle those mounds of shells. Group like shells together by color, and simply hot glue them onto cardstock and frame, for some pretty neat one-of–a-kind art. Make them as funky or as symmetrical as you’d like. They can be just as unique as the shells themselves.







Photo Credit: apartmenttherapy.com)

Exotic Fabric:
I like to collect different fabrics from all over, so I figured what’s a better way to appreciate these textiles than to upholster a small bench in the foyer, or make a throw pillow or two. This way everyday I can reminisce on the memories from those trips, even if only for a moment.

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Help Dad Create a Man Cave for Father's Day


(Photo Credit: upcycledtreasures.com)

Father’s day is coming up, and if you were to ask the majority of men what they would add to their home if they could, you can bet their answer might be a man cave. A man cave is a great way of creating a space in your home that is somewhere the man in your life can call all his own. He may feel he doesn’t get a say in most of the decorating decisions around the house or he may just want a nice little escape. Either way, creating a man cave is a great option for your home especially with Father’s Day right around the corner!

(Photo Credit: bassettfurniture.com)

Pick out a great recliner
No man cave is complete without a fantastic recliner that everyone in the house knows is only for the owner of the man cave. Chances are the man in your life may already have his favorite recliner that he can’t live without. In that case, relocate it to his man cave and take the opportunity to get yourself a great new chair! If he doesn’t already have one, take him shopping with you for one so he can give them all a test run. After all, comfort is most important when you are talking man caves.

(Photo Credit: restorationhardware.com)

Add a game
Games are always a great addition to your man cave. The type of game you select completely depends on the interests of the man. Good choices depending on your budget are ping pong, pool, darts, oversized chess or checkers or even a slot machine! These are all great ways to make the man cave a fun area where he can hang out with his buddies.

(Photo Credit: restorationhardware.com)

Choose durable materials
As we know, things can get a little crazy when we are talking about man caves. You never know what kind of food or drink spillage may be going on in there. This is a good reason to choose durable fabrics for your furniture that can also hide stains well. In other words, stay away from any light and airy colors. If you are purchasing a rug for the space, wool is a great option because it is very durable and its stain resistant nature makes it easy to clean.

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Cost-effective updates to the kids room(s) for summer

 (Photo Credit: thedecorfix.com)

Get them organized with labeled storage bins
One of the most important things to make a priority in the kid’s rooms is organization. Nothing is worse than finding the perfect shoes that go with an outfit for your little one and you can only find one of the two because the room is in such disarray. A great way to make organization easy and also attractive is getting storage bins and labeling them with what goes where. If you wanted to take it a step further and make it easier for your child to stay organized you could take a picture of the items that go in each particular bin. That way, they can see exactly what goes where.

(Photo Credit: popsugar.com)

Add an artful touch without breaking the bank
Not all of us are blessed with the gift of being artistic. So instead of attempting to paint a mural on your little one’s wall, or hiring someone to do so, consider purchasing an inexpensive wall decal that can give the same effect as paint would! To choose a decal for the room, consider the child’s interests and cater it to that. Or you could always simply choose an appealing design you like. The great thing about wall decals, besides being inexpensive, is that they are easily removed! So when your child grows out of whatever they are interested in, it is no problem to take it right off.

(Photo Credit: meandmadeline.blogspot.com)

Create bookshelves made out of pallets
Making bookshelves for your kid’s room out of pallets is a great and very cost-effective update for their room. You can tackle this task on your own if you are a DIYer or hire someone to do so if not. These can add a great rustic touch to your kid’s room, while also encouraging your child to read! The supplies you’ll need for this project are as follows:
A pallet
An electric sander
Kilz Spray Primer
Spray paint
Swivel hangers & Hercules Hooks


Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Three Things to Buy this Month to Update Your Home for Summer



(Photo Credit: designsponge.com)
1.      New paint for your door, shutters, and garage
As your home has gone through these rough winter months, it has taken a beating on the exterior. One great option to freshen up your home for summer is to consider painting your door, shutters, and garage if you have one. This will up your homes curb appeal instantly and give you that fresh change for summer you may be yearning for. Even if you are just applying a fresh coat of the existing color that has been there a while you will be amazed at the difference it will make! If you are wanting an even bigger change, consider switching the color completely while still complementing the existing exterior color of your home.
2.      Fresh new bedding
Another great purchase you can make to update your home this summer is new bedding for however many rooms your budget allows. Opting for lighter, more airy colors will brighten up your home like you would not believe. This is also a great option because you can set your existing bedding aside and put it back on when the season changes again. This way you get to change up your home multiple times a year. It is a good idea to go with lighter weight bedding for the summer months, especially if you live here in Kentucky. We all know how hot and muggy it can get!
1.      Bring the Outdoors in with floral arrangements, real or faux
Placing floral arrangements around the house is a beautiful decorating touch for all year round, but in the summer months especially. Fresh flowers are always a fantastic option to keep around your home if your time and budget allows. If not however, faux arrangements are also a great option! You can purchase pre-made arrangements and break them up as you choose to fit your style and put them in your own vases. You can also purchase a faux flower that is already in a pot like a nice faux orchid for example.