Temperatures are rising into the 80’s which means summer has unofficially arrived in our neck of the woods! Summer is my favorite season when the Earth is fully alive and birds are in full song. I’m still getting some planting done and gave my farmhouse entry and porch a quick summer refresh to perk things…
If you live in an old farmhouse like I do … you know your number one challenge is storage! We have one closet in our house. That’s it. Just one. So I have to get creative when it comes to storage ideas. Here’s how I manage to organize things with farmhouse style storage. (This post contains…
One of the many benefits of living in the Chicago area is the diverse architecture you’ll find as you pass from neighborhood to neighborhood. It’s no secret my favorite places to walk are historic districts with their magnificent homes. I love the details you find on these old and charming beauties. Today’s walking tour features…
Happy Memorial Day Weekend! It’s always nice to get a 3-day break from the work week, isn’t it? I’m glad you here today to enjoy a tour of a renovated Cape Cod home. The house stays true to form, retaining its historic charm throughout. Shingle siding cloaks the outside of the home. The cute bulldog…
June is just a week away and it’s time to start thinking about summer living! Summer is my favorite season because I love the warmth and sunshine. And one of my favorite places to enjoy warm breezes is on a summer porch. To give you some fresh ideas and inspiration, I’ve collected a round-up of…
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Miracle-Gro for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine. Planting season is one of my favorite times of the year. I love the smell of fresh dirt and enjoy planting new items in the yard and garden. Some of you may not be as enamored…
For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved working with paper. It started with doing origami as a young child and moved onto making gum wrapper chains as an older kid. Then in junior high I became enamored with stationery and all the different patterns available. When I managed a fitness club, I loved…
Do you like to walk through model homes or visit open houses? I do but I’m not really sure why. Does it stem from youth when I played house all the time as a little girl? I’ve just always had a fascination with houses, from their layouts to the way they’re decorated. I never tire…
When spring rolls into summer, I find less time for decorating inside. Warm weather beckons me outside to enjoy the flower beds and vegetable gardens. Lazy afternoons and long walks are more enjoyable than spending time indoors. For quick decorating, I turn to simple flower arrangements to add color and softness. Today I’ve rounded up…
Mother’s Day is right around the corner and there’s still time to make mom’s day special with handmade gifts. My mother is no longer with me, but there’s no reason I can’t give a gift to my daughters who are moms. While store-bought presents are always nice, there’s something special about a gift you make…
Remember that show “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy?” On one of the episodes Thom Filicia, the “design doctor” used apple green to decorate one of the straight guy’s bathroom. I would’ve never thought to use that color in such a small space, but ever since that transformation I’ve loved the color! And the bathroom…
Open floor plans and open shelves have made a comeback in today’s design world. Seems we like the idea of living in open spaces, unencumbered by walls and doors. While this look may not be for everyone, I thought I’d share open shelving ideas from a few friends, along with ideas from my own house….
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Miracle-Gro for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine. Gardening is one of my favorite past-times during the warmer months. It’s good therapy being with Mother Nature and enjoying fresh air. Even weed pulling can be pleasurable, provided you don’t have too many. Today I’m…
Last Sunday we traveled to Sweden to tour a charming villa. Today we’re in Spain touring a home located on the Bay of Santander. The light and airy Spanish house was done by the Design-Build firm of Canexel located in Madrid, and features elements of charming cottage style. White wood ceilings and creamy white walls…
Pillows should be a fairly simple decorating staple, but sometimes the simplest of matters can be a little confusing. Pillows come in a range of sizes, shapes, and colors. Mixing them up creates the greatest visual interest in your home. If you need a little help, I’m sharing simple tips for decorating with pillows. Photo…
This post on selecting the right coffee table is sponsored by Oak Furnitureland. All opinions are my own. Ever since I added our white, slip covered sectional to our family room, I’ve been longing for the right coffee table. I’ve kept my eyes open while shopping but nothing seemed to fit the bill. I wanted…
