how to decorate & keep the peace

combining style

What’s more challenging – moving in with someone or deciding on a decor style for your home? How about doing both? Combining and compromising on style when you move in with a significant other can be quite the task. It can be super rewarding and fun to find a style you love together..but how about when your styles clash? Or you both has strong taste opinions? Don’t let that be something to fight about, and don’t let clashing styles hold you back from creating a beautiful home! There are many ways to combine styles, compromise, and find a happy balance for decorating your home with your partner (and contrary to what HGTV might show you – it doesn’t have to be one sided! My Story Let me start with how Brian and I did it. I, of course, felt like I needed 100% control over the design of our home. I was in fact the one with the design degree, however I quickly learned that that’s not the answer to a harmonious house. He didn’t have a strong opinion on the furniture or decor, as long as it was comfortable and functional, I got the green light. For instance, we went shopping for sofas together and tried them all out! If Brian thought it was “lounge-able” and I liked the style, it was a winner. It’s been that way for everything, and it’s worked great in our home. We also both have our own spaces to do with what we […]

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DIY Beaded Chandelier

If you don’t think lighting is important in your home’s decor – think again. Especially in entryways, lighting makes a first impression, and you want it to be good! I have been eyeing up beaded chandeliers for months now, trying to find one that wasn’t going to break the bank – to no avail. That’s when I decided to DIY one (okay this is a partial DIY!) Entryway design My entryway was like the rest of my 1970’s house – bland and beige. Wood trim, brown doors, peachy-brown walls and brown carpet. Makes me itchy just writing that! I have big plans to brighten and lighten the whole space – but at this stage, I am working on the lighting. I love mixing elements – smooth and textured, light and dark, etc. That’s why I LOVE beaded chandeliers. They work with a lot of styles as well – eclectic, coastal, boho, even classic. Since my house is a little bit of everything, I figured this was a style I could live with even when I change out furniture and decor. Inspiration My inspiration was this $299 beaded chandelier from Pottery Barn Kids. I loved the flush mount style – which is perfect for a room with low ceilings where you still want to create a dramatic impact. I also loved the twine and tassel – it makes it a little more casual and bohemian. However, my budget for my entryway is only $400, so spending $300 on the light fixture […]

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The cozy home decor must-haves: Amazon edition!

It’s October 1st, which means pumpkin patches, hayrides, long nights with warm drinks, movies, and all the other fall festivities we all have going on! Is it just me or does October always fly by in a rush? I love this time of year for so many reasons, but it also seems to be the busiest! Busy is good, but it means before I know it, it’s December and my house is still look like it’s summer weather. Not this year! I have discovered the magic of Amazon. I used to use Amazon for just about everything but home decor and furniture. Now that my schedule is full, and my job is diy-ing and decorating, I don’t always have time to drive around to every store, hoping to find the best deal. Instead, I will pull up Amazon during a lunch break and order everything I need in a few short clicks. It’s a game changer for sure! My Amazon list of the coziest and essential items for your home this fall (+ winter!) It’s been my goal since summer was creeping to a close to turn my house into a cozy sanctuary for my family and for all who visit. That’s why I put together this curated list of home decor you need for you home this fall – order it now and get it in a few days. No more hoping you find time to make your home cozy for the cold seasons – get a head start with my cozy home […]

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My favorite rental kitchen ideas!

rental kitchen upgrades

After living in quite a few rentals, I feel like i’ve done it all when it comings to sprucing up a rental kitchen, so I wanted to put together a list of practical and chic rental kitchen ideas. This is also one of the top requested blog posts I’ve gotten from viewers, so I decided it was time to give the people what they want! But really, there are so many ways to spruce up a rental kitchen, and it doesn’t have to break the bank. The cool thing is, you can apply any of these tips to your kitchen even if you aren’t in a rental. It’s a quick and inexpensive way to spruce up your space without having to do a total makeover!   Peel & Stick backsplash You all already know my love affair with peel and stick tiles. I put them in my rental kitchen and loved them so much that I put them in my kitchen (part of my $400 kitchen makeover). They are relatively inexpensive for the impact they have. A lot of people are afraid to use them because they feel they may damage the wall – I am here to tell you, if you do it right, they will not damage the wall. To remove them simply apply heat from a hairdryer, and they peel right off. I’ve tried a lot of brands – but my favorite is Tic Tac Tiles – Premium Anti Mold Peel and Stick Wall Tilefrom Amazon. TIP: If you […]

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Top Home Styling Tips From an Interior Designer: Transform Your Space Instantly!

Have you ever looked around your home and just got the itch to change things up? Maybe it’s a new season (hello fall, I see you coming around the corner!) or maybe things just don’t look right. My house is constantly changing, at all times there is at at least 5 projects going on, and furniture is always being moved from one spot to the next, decor rearranged, items repurposed..you get it. I have a creative brain, which is a blessing & a curse. My friends and family never stop blowing up my phone for design advice too. Personally, this is a huge compliment, and it got me to thinking – if they all have these questions, I bet my readers do too! I’ve compiled a list of the top home styling tips I give out on a regular basis! [ In no particular order; they are as random as the time of days I get texts asking about curtains. haha! ] 1. hang your curtains high. And when you think they are high enough, go a little higher.  The worst thing you can do to a window is dwarf it – aka box it in with window treatments. If your curtains are sheer as day, and you’re hanging them one inch above the top of the window – stop now! Luckily for you – this is the easiest and most dramatic change you can make to a space. Remember: higher + wider 2. create vignettes. If you ever look at magazines […]

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