Today we're taking a break from all the Christmas decor to tour a fresh and airy North Carolina home in muted tones. There are several elements I love about this charmer! Photo by Ally Whalen Design The first thing that caught my eye in the kitchen was the pair of framed cow prints (no wonder, since I have several cow paintings in my own home). I also love the shiplap, open shelves, and wood floors. Photo by Ally Whalen Design A pair of large … [Read more...]

We're officially in "one more week to Christmas" mode. I still need to wrap presents and finalize the holiday menu. During the last week of preparation, I enjoy visiting Christmas inspiration from fellow bloggers. I thought you might too so I'm featuring a roundup of decor, crafts, and treats for you to enjoy! CHRISTMAS TREES Let's start with beautiful Christmas trees! You've probably noticed a recent trend of using more than one tree in … [Read more...]

Today you're in for a special treat as we take a tour of a mid-century modern island retreat in Vancouver, B.C. The home is amazing with expansive views and tasteful contemporary interiors. Photo by Johnson + McLeod Design Consultants   Varied levels within the home create a unique layout - anything but traditional! A vaulted ceiling pairs with a stone fireplace to create architectural interest. Photo by Johnson + McLeod Design … [Read more...]

Sometimes enthusiasm for decorating can lead to a cluttered looking room. Today's home tour features a simple farmhouse cottage dressed with a light hand, allowing the home's beautiful bones to stand out. The home's entryway includes a rustic bench upholstered in linen grain stripe fabric. Windows are left unadorned so as not to block nature's beautiful views outside. Photo by Kelly and Co. Design   Spring green cabinets in the kitchen … [Read more...]

Remember when I confessed that I spent too much money on faux flowers in a single shopping spree? I'm attempting to turn buyer's remorse into shopper's glee by using the flowers as much as possible. So it should come as no surprise that I created a fresh spring look for the kitchen using said flowers.   I had so much fun taking photos of my spring kitchen because I just got a new Nikon camera! It's an upgrade from my former camera and … [Read more...]

Welcome to the third installment of our Cozy Living series! Each month our "cozy group" brings ideas for hygge style living on the first Saturday. It's all about simple comforts, foods, and traditions! You'll find links to cozy living ideas by my blogging friends at the end of this post. January is proving to be a blustery, frosty month so I hope you're all staying warm and bundled up. To help protect against winter's worst, I purchased a … [Read more...]

Are you a coffee lover? Next Friday - September 29th, 2017 - is National Coffee Day! Do you plan to celebrate? Maybe you'll enjoy a decadent coffee recipe on this special day. Or maybe you'll finally create that coffee bar in your home that you've been craving. In anticipation of National Coffee Day, I'm sharing coffee-inspired ideas to enhance this special day. And at the end of the post, you'll find where to enjoy National Coffee Day … [Read more...]

Although I love summer, I love fall too! I'm enjoying the emergence of the gorgeous colors of fall. Everywhere you turn there's visual evidence of autumn's charm. From the turning of leaves to the gathering wheat in the farm fields, there's an abundance of eye candy. Wouldn't it be fun to stack a pile of pumpkins, squash, and gourds out in the yard? Our local farm market is now carrying a variety of heirloom pumpkins. Photo by Rikki … [Read more...]

This past fall we finally replaced our rickety old picket fence with a new one. While I held a certain endearment for our "charming" fence, a lot of the pickets were rotting and we simply couldn't let it go any longer. I've always loved a picket fence and am happy to share some quaint picket fence ideas with you. How adorable is this yellow picket fence with its little gate? The house behind it is equally charming! I think I'm ready to move in … [Read more...]

Of all the giveaways I've offered here on my blog, it seems you enjoy books the most! If you're like me, you love the feel of a book in your hands with its crisp pages. And if it's a vintage book, you enjoy the softer pages with their slightly musty smell. Today I'm giving away a new seasonal book about the heart and home. Written by my blogging friend Vanessa and her sister Heather, the book is called Life in Season. (This post contains … [Read more...]