This is actually barely a DIY project, even though I titled it 'DIY Swags'. I actually found some swags at the grocery store that had several types of evergreens in them, and just embellished them. Here are some tips on how I easily embellished these DIY Swags: The purchased swags also had a few pine cones wired on them. By themselves they looked a little ... Keep Reading...
How to Install an Interior Storm Window
Did you even know there were such things as interior storm windows? Well there are! I've actually used them for a few different projects. In our last house, a 100 year old house, we finished the attic space and I didn't want to remove the charming original windows, but they were only single pane windows with old glass. So, to maintain all the original charm ... Keep Reading...
Thanksgiving Decor Re-Cap
(This cover picture is by Camille Pissarro, you can order your own copy here) This last week I've been joyfully busy spending time with grandchildren! We are so thrilled to be blessed with the addition of 1 more to our family!! I'm quickly writing this post a couple days early to prepare for traveling to meet our precious new granddaughter who was born just a ... Keep Reading...
A Coastal Example of Mixing Patterns
Observation is a fantastic learning tool. Here is a beautiful coastal example of mixing patterns to take away from. In interior design, I find that looking at other people's completed projects can be an extremely beneficial influence for the current project I'm working on. To visit museums and be able to see and study historical period rooms is a great way to ... Keep Reading...
Vintage Window Awning Redo
When we first bought our house, I was fairly sure we were going to remove and not replace the window awnings. However, when we started to paint that side of the house, and removed the awnings, it was easy to understand their value! That is why a vintage window awning redo was in order! The before: Before we officially owned our late mid-century house, this ... Keep Reading...
Transform Hall Closet into Library
Last year we bought a house... a late mid-century with little to no character, mid-century character or any other kind of character. My goal was to take this super bland slate of a house and turn it into feeling more like a Colonial Revival from the 1940's. In this post, I'm going to show you just how boring the front hall was, and how we transformed the hall ... Keep Reading...
Painting Tips
I've said many times that I love to paint, but that is an inaccurate statement! What I love, is how painting gives me the ability to bring positive and sometimes very drastic change to something. For sure, the physical wear and tear of painting is hard on my body, especially a big project. (like this whole house renovation) It is exhausting, but at times the ... Keep Reading...
Front Porch Addition
It was last fall that the front porch addition was started... it is done... well mostly done... Let's pop back to the 'before': Yikes! Our new house (a mid-century I was hoping to turn into a Colonial Revival) sure did have 'asymmetrical issues'! From the east of the front yard looking down the house: It was a very long, narrow front walkway... ... Keep Reading...
Secret Tip! Hang a Group of Pictures…
Isn't this group of pictures so fun and charming?! Looks can be deceiving! Hanging them just about made me crazy... until I remembered the secret tip to hang a group of pictures with even spacing! My husband found a vintage 'Bozo Under the Sea' book at a Flea Market. It came with a record that you could listen to while reading the book. The illustrations are ... Keep Reading...
Fall Porch Ideas
Here are some quick and easy fall porch ideas... I've found that decorating for fall is the easiest! Christmas decorating can be such a huge commitment, but fall is simple... just a little goes a long way. A splash of orange here and there and it looks like you've completely embraced the change of seasons. The big celebration for us is THE FRONT PORCH!! Just ... Keep Reading...