The Power of Paint {Before & After}

Hello Hello!
I have a quick post for you all today. I wanted to stop in and show you how just a little paint can make a HUGE impact!

I was surfing my Instagram the other day and came across some pictures of furniture that my friend Mallory had posted.

She had some antique furniture in her home that was functional for her space, but didn't fit her taste or personality at all.

She had a friend from church repaint the furniture in white and gray. She also changed out the fabric on the chairs. I think it all turned out beautiful!

How gorgeous are those glass knobs on the cabinet? Not only does a little paint make a difference, but changing out fabrics and accessories can also update your furniture!

Of course I had to do a little before and after so you can see the POWER of paint!

What have you all painted lately that made a huge impact in your space? I have been working on the Hubs office and have just finished painting his desk. I can't wait for you all to see a bit of a transformation!

Thanks Mallory for letting me share your amazing dining room pieces!

Happy Tuesday my friends.
XOXO

Fabulous Feature Friday {The Chronicles of Home)

Man...did this short week seem long to all of you!? I am so glad that it is Friday. The Hubs is back from his long trip and we are set to stay home this weekend with some minor projects in mind, but mostly relaxation after this busy week!

Today's Feature is Jennifer from The Chronicles of Home. She has amazing taste and really makes her home a comfortable and fun place to live. I could seriously curl up on her couch with a good book and stay a while!

Hope you enjoy the tour....

This home has amazing curb appeal...does it not? Absolutely adorable, timeless and classy!

This is the master bathroom which they totally rearranged and renovated. I absolutely love the cabinet with the furniture legs. It adds a custom feel to the space!

The play room is just adorable. Make sure you stop over HERE and check out the rest of the pictures and Jennifer's amazing toy organization!

Jennifer has such a beautiful home. I think my favorite part of her home is all the molding she has throughout. The bead board, boxed and crown molding all add a lot of character to her home. The breakfast area is so bright and calming. I don't think I would ever leave! To see more of her home click HERE.

What was your favorite part of this home?

Updating our Dining Room Chandelier

I have a quick post for you all today! You know that most of the time I work from home. I am in charge of all of the pendings and listings for our real estate business. Well...I switch it up and sometimes need to work downstairs where there is more light and a different change of scenery. I really should just stay in my office because then I would stay out of decorating trouble.

Last week I decided to work at the dining room table. After every email I would look up and see my little beauty chandelier.

I bought it four years ago from a local lighting store. It is pretty traditional with a little bit of whimsy. As I gazed up at it throughout the day, it became clear to me that it needed a little change. Nothing crazy...but just a little update.

I decided to change out the light bulbs for a more modern look. I love when something so traditional can also become a bit modern.

I added these round bulbs and I couldn't be happier! Not sure how many visitors will really notice, but I will notice and that is whats most important...right?

What do you all think? Do you like the more traditional look with the pointy bulbs or the modern look with the round bulbs?

They are keepers for now in my book!

Linked up: Liz Marie Blog & Thrifty Decor Chick & Suburbs Mama

Two Pillows Made for our Couch

Hope you all had a wonderful long weekend with family and friends. The Hubs was out of town this weekend, so I was excited to get some major projects done around the house! Can you believe that I tackled his whole office and it is almost done? I can't wait to share some of the DIY's and updates very soon.

A few months ago I showed you some inspirational pictures of living rooms, with one idea in mind...

...adding simplicity into my pillow hoarding abilities. I wanted to keep our new sectional couch clean and simple. No more millions of pillows being tossed here and there.

Here is a BEFORE picture so you can really get a feel for the space:

And...here is the After:

Don't you think that two pillows that add a little drama are better than a whole mess that don't do anything for the space!? I am really loving how they look. They just add a bit of glam and color to the much needed living room.

I used an Ikat fabric from JoAnn's that I purchased months ago. It is from their Mill Creek line. I added a gray linen to the back. Believe it or not, this pillow was made from a body pillow that was purchase from target. I had to cut it down a bit to get the exact size I wanted. These pillows are pretty large. The measurements are right around 19"x38". Aren't they just fabulous!? hehe

Here is one last before and after.....

So what do you think!? Could you pair down your pillows and just create some large ones that give a sense of simplicity?


P.S. Who noticed the the new curtains as well? That DIY is for another post! Stay Tuned!

Linked up: Liz Marie Blog & Thrifty Decor Chick

Fabulous Feature Friday {Me Oh My}

I hope all of you have had a great week. I am so pumped for the weekend! We are trying to get a lot of organizing done around here before Memorial Day weekend. (wish me luck!)

Today I have an amazing home by the lovely Nicole from Me Oh My Blog. I love how she has mixed vintage with contemporary throughout her space. It is such a livable space yet at the same time it feels timeless and classy. I think my absolutely favorite spaces in her home are the kids rooms...oh and that fabulous chandelier in the kitchen!...I. Might.Die.! Hope you enjoy the tour!

Seriously one of my favorite homes tours to date! All photo credits to Me Oh My. Make sure you hop on over to check out more photos HERE.

What do you all think? Could you live in this home?

Have a Wonderful Weekend my friends!

A Reader's Design Dilemma & Entryway Inspiration

A couple of weeks ago I was contacted by an old High School friend who reads my blog regularly. She is always supportive of what I do with my design ideas and thought I could give her a little advice on her entryway.

My friend Liz and her husband built their home about two years ago. After they moved in she found out she was pregnant and now has a beautiful little boy. So...she has not had much time to decorate her new place!

Here is what she wrote me:
Help! I need decorating advice!  I attached a pic of my entry way that I have yet to decorate. What are your thoughts on painting the inside of the front door? I just feel like it is so cold looking. I love when people paint them black but I am not sure it would go in my house. Also, I am at a loss on what should go on the walls on either side if the door. Any suggestions you could give would be greatly appreciated! 

Don't you love her home already!? I am in love with her ceiling light...anyway here are a couple more pics so you get the feel of her space.

Around the backside of this wall is the door to her basement.

Liz has a great space to work with. We just need to add a little character with lamps, pictures, plants, pillows, a mirror and accessories! 

Here are a few ideas that I sent her and where I think the space needs to go.

Let's start with the console against the wall to the stairs. I am thinking a round mirror to replace the picture. This will help balance the square console.  Also a lot of layering of items such as a plant, tray for phones & keys, a brightly colored lamp and/or lampshade as well as a family picture.

Even though this isn't a round mirror, I love all of the layering and how the antique look balances some of the more modern touches. There are so many different textures that totally work in this space.

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If she didn't want to purchase a new mirror, she could always bring a small gallery wall above the console to fill the space on the wall or the second picture makes it simple with two prints stacked one on top of the other.

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Now on to the bench area in the corner...

The bench has some great texture to it, but I would add a little pop of color with some pillows. Maybe a couple of wicker baskets underneath for a quick removal of shoes. Even a little task lamp would be neat!

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She definitely needs a place to hang coats and/or scarves when company arrives. I would add either a small coat rack in the corner behind the door or some fabulous hooks above the bench.

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If they decided to add a coat rack in the other corner or if they have a coat closet nearby, she might decide to do a gallery wall above the bench instead. I love this corner gallery wall where it wraps around two walls. It really makes a great statement and she could display all of her family photos as well as art prints.

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Last, but not least is that entryway door. How do you all feel about painting that door black? I know it is very popular right now. I am not sure that it is needed, but if she were to paint it black it might look a little something like this.....

What do you think about Liz's entryway? Any other suggestions you might all have for making her space shine!?

I can't wait to see how she works her magic....pics to come!