Choosing the Perfect Leather Sofa {and a Date Night at Raymour & Flanigan}

I have received product from Raymour & Flanigan in exchange for this post. All expressed opinions are 100% my own as I truly love their furniture. Read my Full Disclosure Policy.

I have been working on getting our home decorating "finished" forever it seems, even though we have only lived here just going on five years. I know it is one of those things that will never really be done, as styles evolve and life changes, but it's a nice feeling when you can see progress towards making your house a home. We are on our way there with the help of several new pieces of furniture from Raymour and Flanigan and some plans for putting a few more personal touches in our main living areas.

Styling a Rustic Shelf {with kids in mind}

Hey everybody! Life has been busy with the little ones and my grandfather, whom I love and adore, is not doing well. I have been trying to visit as often as possible, and even though he is 96, saying goodbye is never easy. Prayers are welcomed that the rest of his days are as pain free as possible and filled with peace.

Today, I am sharing a guest post that I did last month for Jennifer Rizzo with some tips for styling shelves while keeping young children in mind. As you may know, I have two preschool/toddler age children, fifteen months apart, so my decorating has changed a lot in the past few years. I still love to decorate, but have found the need to make compromises to keep my home well styled, yet safe and fun for my children. I actually enjoy the challenge of combing both elements (most of the time – finding places for all of those toys in a tight space is a challenge all its own).

Thrift Store Etc. Sign Makeover

Last year, I shared a quirky sign during my fall living room tour that I had picked up from a thrift store and made over. I wanted to get this before and after post up much sooner, but you know how it goes. This transformation was so easy and was the first time that I used black spray paint for a decor piece. And I love it! It was the perfect choice. I have really grown to love adding black accent pieces throughout my home.

Five to ten years ago, I would not have considered painting this sign anything other than white (or maybe pink when I went through that phase for a couple of years). But now, I am always considering the piece itself and what it speaks to me.

Whimsical Thread Spool Garland

After a long, much needed blogging break I am back! A lot happened over the holiday. Some glad, but there was a tone of sadness over it when we found out my uncle was diagnosed with cancer the day before Christmas Eve and he doesn't have much time left. And then we lost my grandmother on January 6th. She was not in great health, but it was very quick and unexpected just the same. It has been a rough few weeks for my entire extended family…prayers are welcomed!

I am now easing back into blogging and wanted to start with a post that I worked on before my break but never got around to sharing. I am looking forward to getting back into the swing of things this new year, but with more balance and less pressure than I felt near the end of last year.

Today, I have an easy and whimsical diy project for you: a thread spool garland that I made with my children in mind. Originally, I had planned to use it for a small Christmas tree in the playroom, but ended up preferring it on its own. I simply hung it from a peg rack on my daughter Hazel's side of the bedroom mixed with a few Christmas touches.

Rustic Fall Table & Dining Room

Last month, I shared my fall home tour including a peek into my dining room decorated for the season. I am joining with several other talented bloggers today, sharing our Thanksgiving tablescapes, so I thought this would be a good opportunity to give you the full dining room tour. I am keeping things simple and the same this Thanksgiving. Be sure to visit the other talented bloggers at the end of this post for more inspiration and a big thank you to the very talented Bre of rooms FOR rent for hosting this event.
I don't think we will be having Thanksgiving at our house this year (it's kind of nice when you can leave the cooking and the mess to someone else, right? {grin}). But we have been enjoying meals as a family at the table every night, and I am reading the book One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp and trying daily to find thanksgiving in everything around me. Even when the house is a mess, the kids won't sleep, and I have piles of laundry and dishes calling my name. There is still beauty to be found in each and every moment. They are harder to find some days, but I am learning that I can train myself to look for them, by recording them in my own journal of gifts.

Vintage Thread Ball Mini Pumpkins

I am excited to be participating with so many talented bloggers this week in the Festival of Fall hosted by The Everyday Home blog! I am sharing a super easy diy craft that you can make in an afternoon and reuse year after year: mini faux pumpkins made from vintage thread balls.

This project is so easy! All you will need are some vintage thread balls (that you can usually find at thrift stores or antique shops), some small sticks found outside, and green sheet mossor excelsior wood shred (*affiliate links).

Halloween Burlap and Scrap Fabric Ghost Family

Halloween will be here before we know it. Time to get those spooky decorations out or make your own! My mom and I made this family of friendly ghosts (to replicate my husband, myself and our two little ones), in one afternoon, back in 2012. This is a no-sew project…hooray! I know how everyone loves those.

I am sharing how we did it today as part of my {a look back} series. We made these right after my son Owen was born, when I wasn't doing much blogging. I love giving you "a look back" at these projects now and hope that you enjoy them as well.

Vintage Inspired Patriotic Book Page Wreath

With Labor Day, just over a week away, I thought it would be a great time to give you a diy tutorial that I originally shared at Yellow Bliss Road. I made a vintage inspired patriotic wreath from old book pages, just before Memorial Day, and used it for display on the 4th of July as well. It will be taking center stage on our front door, once again, as Labor Day rolls around.

This project was also featured on Country Living's website over the summer which was quite a thrill!

Like most of my projects, this one was not perfect, and I ended up improvising a bit, but that is part of the fun of being creative, isn't it? Learn new things and keep trying.

Apartment & Townhouse Living: Romantic Cottage Chic Bedroom Makeover

Welcome to my new series, Apartment & Townhouse Living, where I hope to share advice and inspiration for those living in rental properties. I will be giving you a look at my life before buying our first home, to show that even when you live in a space that can't be remodeled, you can express your personal style. First up, we will be taking a tour of my "romantic cottage chic" townhouse bedroom from February of 2009.

Rustic and Industrial Decor {Sundays at Home No. 21 Link Party & Features}

It is week twenty-one here at Sundays at Home! I have some inspiring rustic and industrial home decor features for you this week that I can't wait to share!

Seasons of Home: Midsummer Botanical Mantel

Welcome to Seasons of Home Summer Edition 2014! I am thrilled to be sharing a botanical mantel vignette in my dining room with you today. Be sure to visit the other talented bloggers participating after you leave here!

Gallery Wall in my Art Studio

Today I am guest blogging over at Jennifer Rizzo, sharing a vintage inspired gallery wall that I created in my art studio.

Read my full post here:

Designing a Gallery Wall

4th of July Mantel and a Free Printable Banner!

Today I am sharing my 4th of July mantel and have a free printable patriotic banner for you! Can you believe it is already almost July? Time sure is flying by. 

Vintage Inspired Patriotic 4th of July Vignette {blog rewind}

Several years ago, I used to live in a townhouse with a large entry way. I loved changing out the decor season to season, and especially loved decorating it for holidays. In 2009, I shared a post on my Typepad blog with a vintage-inspired 4th of July vignette that I set up in this space and am "rewinding" to share it again here.

The Collector | DIY Feather and Plate Wall Art

I'm a hoarder a collector.

I love things. I love certain kinds of things. And then when I love certain kinds of things, I love having lots of those kinds of things.

I am a collector.

What makes me drawn to certain things?

Cabin Dreaming & Summer Wishes

Lately I have had a serious case of cabin fever.

Not the kind where I have been stuck inside.

I have been getting out plenty.

Hazel’s Vintage Nursery {a look back}

I am excited to share with you the second in my {a look back} series, where I am sharing snippets from life when I was away from blogging. One thing that I never got around to sharing during that time, was Hazel's nursery, so I am going to now!

I had so many hopes and dreams for this room before she was born. Lots of plans were made and vintage items collected just for this special space that I wanted to create for my first child. I knew I wanted it to be cream and white with neutral, vintage touches throughout.

Vintage Thread Ball Egg Basket {Easy DIY}

Is spring ever going to come? I sure hope so! There is still a little bit of snow on the ground here, but spring is on my mind. I have a super easy DIY tutorial to get you in the mood for spring as well. A few years back I made and sold these vintage thread ball egg baskets, and today I am going to share how.

Farmhouse Touches in the Dining Room {a look back}

I am excited to start a new series with you where I will share "a look back" at some of things I photographed but never posted during my time away from blogland. 

After the whirlwind birth of my second child when my daughter was only 15 months old, I blogged on occasion, but pretty rarely. There was so much that I didn't have time to post back then.  

Spring 2014 {Partial} Living Room Reveal

As promised, I am sharing my living room reveal!