Our temperatures are dropping slightly here in Illinois. Summer hasn’t left yet but fall is trying to wiggle her way in. The trees can’t ignore the shorter days however, and leaves will start to turn color in few weeks. While it isn’t here just yet, autumn is such a beautiful time of year and worthy of…
Kids are back in school and my thoughts and creativity have turned to fall projects. Today I’m joining four blogging friends to bring you a collection of autumn DIY projects. Thanks to Taryn of Taryn Whiteaker Designs for organizing this crafty event. I’m sharing how to make a fall floral chandelier with beautiful silk flowers….
The last few years have seen a huge surge in the popularity of farmhouse style, but what about previously popular decorating trends like shabby chic. Is it still in style? Shabby chic is defined by layers of worn paint on furniture and simple fabrics like cotton and linen. Colors are typically soft and feminine with…
Last week we were idly shopping on my favorite street in Geneva, Illinois, and I came across a set of adorable coasters – made of cardboard! I knew I had supplies at home to make my own DIY recycled cardboard coasters. Why spend money if you don’t have to? (This post contains affiliate links.) Cardboard…
These days it seems more and more of my blogging friends are publishing books! I’m so proud of all of them and it’s always good news for you, because I like giving away a copy of their books! Kelly from My Soulful Home recently launched her new book, A Year in Flowers. It’s filled with…
This past weekend hubby and I took a trip to Crystal Lake, Illinois. It’s a medium-sized, quaint town that surrounds a serene lake with breezy sailboats and lazy sunbathers. We explored the neighborhoods lined with beautiful historic homes. The first house that caught my eye was this adorable blue bungalow with a sweet green door….
As summer comes to a close and children go back to school, I thought it’d be fun to tour a charming Bahamas cottage. I’m not ready to let go of summer just yet – it’s my favorite season of the year. I think you’ll enjoy today’s pretty home with an ideal location to enjoy the…
Today I’m going to show you how to arrange flowers using tips from event designer and planner, Matthew Robbins. Matthew has been a contributing editor for Martha Stewart Weddings for over 15 years, among other popular publications. After watching one of his videos, I realized the mistakes I was making with my own flower arrangements….
Some of my friends and family members have difficulty sleeping. On occasion, I struggle with sleep too, although lately I haven’t had any problems. My philosophy is that if you have pretty space for sleeping, it’s easier to drift off. I say this because I think your surroundings can calm your nerves and create a…
Do you have any items in your home that are beyond their usefulness yet you still keep them around? That’s how it’s been with my wooden knife holder. I’ve owned it for at least 15 years and it’s seen better days. When I saw a creative DIY knife holder in a recent issue of Flea…
Once in a while you get lucky and a popular designer shares their own home. Such was my luck today when I came across the home of Swedish designer Anna Stenberg on Houzz. Scandinavian design is evident throughout the rooms of this cozy cottage. The porch is surrounded by windows that let in plenty of…
Lately I’ve been turning a critical eye to the walls in my home. I’m making some changes, but decorative changes can be expensive. If you’re also challenged by the high cost of artwork, you’ll enjoy this post that shares a collection of economical DIY wall art. Some are my own creations, and some are the…
I’m always on the lookout for beautiful, unique homes to feature every Sunday and I have a special Yankee Barn Carriage House to share with you today. Yankee Barn Homes are built with a sturdy post and beam frame. Today we’re touring their Bennington Carriage House with 1,142 square feet of living space. (All photos…
Farmhouse style has been popular for quite a while now, and doesn’t appear to be going away anytime soon. It’s comfortable and practical, and isn’t too hard to get the farmhouse look. An easy way to transition to this style is to add farmhouse animals … like cow decor. Hang a painting of a cow…
One of my favorite stores moved further away, which didn’t make me happy. But the other day we took a trip out there and I found some cool vintage posters. For just a few dollars, I turned them into vintage poster art and hung the first one in my sitting room. (This post contains affiliate…
Have you ever visited Newfoundland? I’ve only seen images and video on TV and the internet. It’s a beautiful part of the Canadian country with charming homes and today we’re touring one of the country’s cozy homes! The Newfoundland cottage is called Hare’s Ears Cottage and was renovated for travel company, CapeRace Adventures. You can…
