No matter what your weather is today - I'm sending a bit of sunshine your way with this uplifting tour of a sunny poolside cottage! I couldn't help but smile and be inspired when looking at the interior and exterior spaces of the "Allamanda Cottage" decorated by Laura Hay Decor and Design. Photo by Laura Hay DECOR & DESIGN Inc. Blue accent pieces wash a feeling of serenity throughout the neutral living room. White walls and trim … [Read more...]
The Story of My Rabbit Lamp
April 21, 2018 By 9 Comments
Have you ever found a treasure when shopping but decided not to take it home with you? Such was the case in the story of my rabbit lamp. I first spotted it at The Little Traveler in Geneva and hemmed and hawed over it before finally walking away. The following weekend I decided to go back and get it. Unfortunately for me - the rabbit lamp had sold! (This post contains affiliate links.) Needless to say, I was pretty disappointed. That … [Read more...]
Tour a Colorful Bespoke Kitchen
April 19, 2018 By 6 Comments
Some people struggle with the amount of color to add to a room. How much is too much? And how much is enough to keep a room from looking sterile or boring? Today I've found a colorful bespoke kitchen that enjoys a pleasing balance of various hues. Wood floors, white walls, and light gray kitchen cabinets provide a solid foundation for adding color. Photo by deVOL Kitchens Your eye is immediately drawn to the stove area. Shelves are … [Read more...]
How to Decorate Your Bedroom for Spring
April 17, 2018 By 8 Comments
The bedrooms in our circa 1875 home have always provided a decorating challenge. The rooms are small and there's lots of angles to consider. Once furniture arrangement is figured out, you can start to decorate your bedroom for the season - in this case - spring. Since we had a little snow this weekend, I decided to go with a lighter, neutral color scheme for spring. I replaced my cocoa-colored quilt with my ruffled white … [Read more...]
Contemporary Coastal Home in Rhode Island
April 15, 2018 By 5 Comments
Today's home is truly a breath of fresh air - salty sea air, that is! A modern shingle style exterior makes way to expansive waterfront views from almost every room. Rhode Island designer, Kate Jackson, worked her magic throughout the living spaces to create a stunning yet comfortable contemporary coastal home. This house had me at hello! Walking through this courtyard to the double glass doors, you just know it's going to be a treat to … [Read more...]
8 Ideas for Sliding Barn Doors
April 14, 2018 By 8 Comments
Are you a fan of barn doors used inside the home? There's been a huge upsurge in farmhouse style decorating ever since Fixer Upper became such a popular TV show. In honor of the show ending its series, I'm featuring a collection of barn doors made popular by Joanna Gaines' popular decorating style. Photo by Lauren Leonard Interiors Add a barn door to a mud room and when the room gets messy, simply slide the door shut to hide the boots … [Read more...]
Decorating with Ticking Stripe
April 12, 2018 By 11 Comments
Back in my early twenties I was a huge fan of Asian-influenced decorating. My first rental home was decorated in traditional style with heavy influences of the Orient. Then my older sister showed me an issue of Country Living magazine and everything changed. I fell in love with casual country style and never looked back. A tried and true staple of country decor is ticking stripe and today I'm sharing various ways to use its subtle beauty … [Read more...]
Aurora Historic District: Residential Walking Tour
April 10, 2018 By 26 Comments
It's been a while since I've published a walking tour of historic homes. As it just so happened, hubby and I went to see Shen Yun in Aurora, Illinois, which has a lot of older homes. We decided to go back on Sunday to snap some photos of the west side Aurora historic district. There were so many historic homes to enjoy on our Sunday walk. I need to share all the beautiful homes in a few posts. I fell head over heals in love with this purple … [Read more...]
Working Farm Becomes Countryside Retreat
April 8, 2018 By 7 Comments
When you tour today's featured home by Sims Hilditch of the UK, you might find yourself disbelieving that this was once an old working farm. Outbuildings were pieced together to create an amazingly beautiful countryside retreat! Rustic beams lend architectural appeal in the traditional family room decorated with rich texture and neutral tones. Photo by Sims Hilditch Amazing details are found throughout this countryside retreat, like … [Read more...]
Create a Cozy Time-Out Corner
April 7, 2018 By 22 Comments
Do you remember putting your child in "time-out" when they needed a break from misbehavior? I decided sometimes we need a break from the stress of life and should have our own cozy time-out corner! The difference however, is that the latter corner is a reward to yourself! Today I'm joining a few blogging friends for another Cozy Living session. Check out everyone's cozy ideas for April at the end of this post. Work is getting busy, … [Read more...]
Cozy Master Bedroom Ideas
April 5, 2018 By 6 Comments
Winter weather isn't letting go of its relentless grip in many parts of the country, so I thought it'd be somewhat therapeutic to enjoy a collection of cozy master bedroom ideas. Imagine curling under the covers of any of these beautiful beds and dreaming sweet dreams until the land finally thaws. A beautiful country style bedroom is tastefully decorated in shiplap walls and warm wood floors. A fun pom-pom bedspread graces the bed with a cozy … [Read more...]
Board and Batten in the Dining Room
April 3, 2018 By 18 Comments
Just when I thought we were close to being done decorating the dining room, things changed. I felt a strong whim to add board and batten to give the room a bit more architectural appeal. I was also tired of the shelf on this wall and wanted a different look. So hubby and I took a trip to Lowe's and picked up 8-foot long pine strips for under $3 each. The board and batten section is painted in semi-gloss Ultra White by Benjamin. The … [Read more...]
Fresh Country Style Home Tour
April 1, 2018 By 2 Comments
Today's fresh country style home pairs two of my favorite decorating staples - wood and the color white. The rooms are warm, inviting, and beautifully styled. The living room contains a variety of textures. Shiplap walls hug the room, soft linens cover the armchairs, and earthen pottery graces the built-in shelves. Photo by Kemp Hall Studio On the other side of the living room is a beautiful fireplace and mantel. A wood mirror takes … [Read more...]
Hi! I'm Jennifer and I'm happy to have you here! I live where the suburbs meet the country, which affords me the best of both worlds. Come along on my journey where I share decorating, cooking, gardening and more as it relates to both city and rural life. 
