HGTV Magazine came out to our home (as you know) in October of 2016. It was a great experience and I shared all the behind the scene pictures on THIS blog post and how the shoot came to be. HGTV sent me photos that I could share with my readers! A full spread of the magazine. I thought it would be fun to share THEN and NOW photos and the why to some of the changes. Also on a personal note I want to have these photos on my blog, really such a bucket list thing for me. I remember when the photographer was out he told me that the title of our article was going to be "1100 Square feet, 5 ... Read More
Friday Favorites- My Favorites Right Now
Hello! Today I thought it would be fun to chat about my personal Favorite Things right now. From Favorite TV Series to a Favorite Conversation I had recently. Design Trend- I don't think it is a trend but a pattern I notice myself leaning towards- a piece of black in every room. I look at photos online and think- that room just needs some depth or a tiny bit of contrast. Amazing what you see when you take a picture. Also a touch of pink in every room- why not have a feminine and a masculine touch in every space. Four Things I find myself saying when talking about ... Read More
Bathroom (upstairs) Design Plan, Before and Inspiration
We have lived in our little Connecticut Cape for 3 years now! We moved in December and I remember two things very clearly; #1- How cold it was and #2-How ugly the bathrooms were. I really couldn't stand them and taking a daily bath is one of my favorite things. So the first thing we did was have the bathrooms remodeled. We put in a really nice deep soaker tub, painted, tiled the floor with a marble hexagon tile and added subway tile to the shower/tub. All of that was perfect. But I did feel really rushed and lost because I didn't know any local stores to find things. I was relying on our ... Read More
How to Mix Color and Patterns with Pillows- The Pillow “Rules”
I love a good pillow mix. One that doesn't look too contrived or that it is trying too hard to stick to the "rules" but is secretly following the pillow rules! A mix of color and patterns with pillows is totally an art form. How we put together a good pillow combo can really be unique to every person and that is what makes it so fun. I think we take pillows way too seriously. They don't have to be. Pillows can be carefree and playful. Even if you prefer a more formal and traditional look- yes, even then they can a great mix of color and pattern. I do have some pillow "rules" I like to ... Read More
Friday Favorites starts with Wreaths and a Sconce
There are so many reasons to be excited for Spring. One of my Favorite things is cleaning off the front porch, adding some new plants and a wreath. I thought why wait for Spring? We can at least brighten up the door with a new wreath. Today I am sharing a few of my favorite wreaths for my Friday Favorites. Our front door didn't get a new wreath....just some new ribbon did the trick! I had a Magnolia Wreath from the Fall and love it- really a timeless wreath. This wreath I can really use ALL year long- Spring, Summer, Fall and even Winter. In the Fall I tied a scarf around the back ... Read More
EASIEST Gluten-Free Bread with the BEST Gluten-Free Flour
Well, I did it! I found the best Gluten-Free Flour to make Gluten-Free Bread with! It is the easiest bread recipe ever! It is only 4 ingredients and water is even one of the those ingredients. I know A LOT of you love my Mom's Artisan Bread and a lot of you were looking for a Gluten-Free Bread option either because you or someone you know has celiac disease. I personally eat Gluten-Free majority of the time, I just feel better when I do. Yes,this is still bread, but it is a really great option for those who choose a Gluten-Free lifestyle. The reason I consider it a good option is because the ... Read More
Friday Favorites starts with Target Tops and Warm vs Cool Lightbulbs
You know the saying "There is not one right way to do something?" I agree with that 100%. That can go into my bucket of favorite sayings along with- "Done is better than perfect". I thought of that saying today as I was writing this post because it was proven to me twice today (and I am sure even more than I realized). One was with lightbulbs and another with a Valentines Day Project. I am going to share both for my Friday Favorites and some new tops I bought online from TARGET, that just got in the mail and love. TARGET Do you feel like you dress like your house? I think my style ... Read More
How to Create a Design Board and Where to Start Designing a Room
I have gotten asked a lot lately how I create my Design Boards or some call them a Mood Board. This is not just something for designers. It is so helpful in pulling any room together. Or helping you achieve your "look" for your home.This is a MUST before you start buying a thing for a room. The first step I take in designing a room is to make a plan. DO NOT just go out and purchase things, I can't stress this enough. You will waste a lot of money, time and end up far from the look you are trying to achieve. These are the steps I take when designing room- #1- List anything that is a ... Read More
Top 5 Most Bang for Your Buck Ideas to do in your Home
Love this idea of sharing what YOU can do in your home to get the most Bang for your Buck! Kind-of like saying if you just do these five things you will be healthier or happier. But of course we are talking about changes you can make in your home. The way I decided my Top Five ideas is I thought of what things I have noticed are lacking in recent projects I worked on and also questions I get from YOU, my loyal readers. Kris by Driven by Decor came up with this idea along with- Pam of Simple Details, Lisa of Shine Your Light, Jennifer of Dimples & Tangles. They ... Read More
Behind the Scenes of our HGTV Magazine Photo Shoot
I got an email from a magazine scout. She wanted to know if she could submit our home to a magazine. I said sure, doesn't hurt to try. I have to admit I was a little excited and hopeful. About a month later I got an email saying they were going to pass on our home. It wasn't a right fit. I was a little bummed out. Fast forward to a couple months later and another magazine scout emailed me. She wanted to know if she could submit our home for a Christmas issue featuring kitchens. I said sure go ahead, but told her it was already turned down by that same magazine she wanted to send it ... Read More