Decorating Cents

Right at the top of the stairs, we have a loft area.  This area has been empty since we've been here.  It's really been the catchall for things that no longer fit into any other room at the time.  Around Christmas, it looked like a toy store with all the kids' toys all spread out.  We decided it was time to do something with this space. Last week I showed you the new pillow covers I ordered from H&M.  I don't really have a set color scheme for this room.  I just want it to be fun and a place where we can lounge and watch movies.  Kind of a media space.   Here's what we're thinking. The main piece in the room will be a gray sectional.  We wanted something functional that we could all lounge on.  I really wanted gray because I knew there would be a possibility we would be eating and drinking up there, so the gray should cover any stains or mishaps.  It will go on the right wall when you first walk up the stai...

I finally finished.  It's probably been finished for a while.  I had some pieces but hadn't put them in the room yet.  What I thought would take me a month or so took a few months.  I see what I want it to look like in my head but sometimes the pieces don't always fall into place like I want them to.  I think I was over thinking things.  This bathroom doesn't need to be fancy or over the top.  It's going to be for my son and any guests that we do have over.  I want simple and fresh.  So here goes. I love the soft blue-gray in this room.  It makes it light and airy in here.  Now that the mirror is framed, it pops off instead of blending into the walls.  I went with a white frame to keep the colors light.  I almost went dark but changed my mind last minute in the store.  All the bathroom mirrors are framed now and make such an improvement in the look of the bathroom itself.  More of a finished look instead of ...

Yesterday I posted on Facebook that I sold our dining room chairs.  I was never really a fan of them but they came with the table so I lived with them. That is, until I was seeing other styles that I liked.  Sure, we don't use the table often but I at least want the dining room to look good and be a reflection on our current style.  It has changed over the past few years.  If you look at pictures from the last three years of living here, our house doesn't look the same. Here are the previous chairs... They had a curved, slatted back that wasn't really that comfortable.  If we were to have guests over for a fancy dinner party (yeah right), I at least want them to eat in comfort.  You want them to relax and be able to linger after dinner's over.  The seats were a tan microfiber which is great for messes but I need something different. With the new chairs, I think I want something tufted.  Oh yes, the drama!  The tufts just look ...

When we put in the new rug in the family room, we noticed it wasn't very thick.  We experienced this with our last rug as well.  We had hardwood floors so of course it's not going to feel like air when walking on the rug.  I had thought about getting a rug pad but never actually went looking  for one.  I know rug pads protect your floors, make your rug last longer, and keep the rug from slipping.  I also know they aren't cheap so I didn't want to bring it up to hubby. It was perfect timing when RugPadUSA contacted me about trying out one of their Premium Lock rug pads.  After placing my order, the rug pad arrived within days.  I'll be honest, when this huge package showed up on our doorstep, I shoved it aside for about a week because I didn't feel like moving the sofa and rug around.  I knew it would take forever to get it back how I had it. Well one afternoon I got tired of seeing it sit there and finally got to work laying that thing ...

Last week I ordered several new pillow covers from H&M Home.  They are for our loft that we are going to be working on soon.  I just recently discovered that H&M carries a home line.  I was pretty shocked.  I have a few pieces from their clothing line and the quality is ok.  You get what you pay for. There is a pretty decent selection of covers.  They have so many styles and colors to choose from and the prices can't be beat.  Most are cheaper than it costs to make one of your own.  I went with graphic prints and bold colors.  Our loft is going to be a family space so I wanted to bring in fun colors.  Bright colors will make for better moods...hopefully.  The covers have hidden zippers on the bottom, which I love.  With the kids around, it's going to be easy to take them off and wash them.  I was a little hesitant before ordering because you can't return items to the store, only by mail, and you have to pay ...

Over the weekend, my daughter and I put together class valentine cards for the their card exchange on Friday.  I don't like using the store bought ones, even though it's easier.  I like things to be a little more personal and she enjoys the process.  I also like handing out something besides candy.  I know plenty will be coming home from other kids. I picked up some Valentine pencils from the Target dollar spot.  I made a couple cards in Picmonkey and printed them out on cardstock.  I did two versions with different sayings that pertained to writing since we were using pencils.  We punched holes and inserted the pencils.  The pencil packs were assorted and it was interesting to hear how she picked out the pencil for each kid.  There will be one boy that gets a pink pencil.  Sorry, but it is Valentine's Day and I'm sure that won't be the only pink item in his bag. Super simple and she can say she made them herself!

This is such a super simple and cute craft.  I keep my washi tapes and tea lights in the same drawer.  I was looking for something one day and realized that I could put them together.  I usually pop the tea lights into fancy votive holders to decorate the table.  But why couldn't I use the washi tape to make them a little prettier for use on their own? Now they can be scattered anywhere and hold their own. Sharing with Under the Table and Dreaming * Delineate Your Dwelling * DIY Showoff * It's So Very Cheri * Between Naps on the Porch * CRAFT * Lines Across * Uncommon Designs * That's What Che Said * Creatively Living * DIY Home Sweet Home * Homecoming * Keeping It Simple * Marvelously Messy * Skip To My Lou * The Dedicated House * Tip Junkie * The Shabby Nest * Thrifty Decor Chick *

I've always had a hard time finding light bulbs that I like. Regular incandescent, soft white bulbs are always too yellow to me. I've tried bulbs that claimed to be more like outside light and I didn't like them either because they were too blue almost fluorescent. They were nothing like natural outside light. So, in lamps and overhead lights I've gone to clear lights. They are brighter and less yellow than regular bulbs.   Brighter lighting tends to make me feel happier and energetic.  When the room is dim, it feels dreary and the moods seem to be gloomier.  Lighting is important for me. We use lamps instead of overhead lights at night and I hesitate to take pictures then because I know the pictures are going to be so yellow and look horrible. GE contacted me about trying their new Reveal Light Bulbs .  I was skeptical to try the GE bulbs at first because of my dealings with others. I decided to try the bulbs in the entry hall.  The before w...

I keep seeing these pop up all over blogland!  The shelves are such a wow factor since it can easily transform a blank wall into a massive piece of art.  They seem pretty easy to do using some metal pipes and wood.  I really love the look but it's not exactly our style or else I would find a place to put one.  It's more rustic and industrial than what we're going for in our home. DIY Showoff added shelves to her pantry to maximize storage. My mouth fell open when I saw how gorgeous this one is from Jessica Kraus. Beneath My Heart built them in her kids' room. Michelle did a smaller bookcase version which I may be able to tackle.   Even if they're not made of pipes and wood, I want wall shelves somewhere. What you think?  Have you put in some industrial shelves?