Category: home accessories

home accessories · Home decor · refreshment at home

Creating a Home You Love

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A home that’s filled with light, color and beauty is just…inviting.  It shouldn’t be our goal to have a beautiful home so it can be a show-piece, but so we can have a place to demonstrate the love of Christ to others, to open our doors and invite the lost to share a meal, hear the Gospel and know that we love them too.
It’s with that goal in mind that I share some things I’ve learned in recent years about decorating, so keep this goal in your thoughts as you read on. When I got married over 30 years ago and set up housekeeping, my design style was mish-mash.  I wasn’t sure where I was headed or what kind of style I liked or wanted, and it was very evident!  At one time, I had deep mauve in the living room, yellow in the den, and purple in the master bedroom!  Ahhhhhh!  What was I thinking?  It was like walking through a Fun House at the carnival!  I don’t claim to have it all together now, but I think I’m finally learning what colors I love (red, yellow and light blue ) and the styles I favor (Shabby Chic/French Country).  At least I have a goal for which to strive!

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home accessories · Home decor · Pre-Spring

Kicking Winter Out Of the House

RefreshHer12 Comments

spring 2018 6a

Who cares what Punxsutawney Phil saw on February 2nd?  If the Lord allows winter to keep residence in our current location, we can still bring a little bit of spring inside without using tulips and daffodils.  It will cheer your heart and encourage your spirit!

Here’s what you can do to freshen up your house and get it ready for spring – no matter the temperature outside.

  1. Get rid of Christmas decor. Make sure to scour the house for any and all traces of Christmas decor still left out. It can hide in places where it’s easy to overlook, can’t it?!  Store it away and get it into its rightful place so it will be ready for next year.
  2. Use greens.  A boxwood wreath is a great intermediate wreath for your front door.  Add silk herbs and succulents throughout the house.spring 2018 2
  3. Add colorful fruit – real or faux as a pretty spot of color in your kitchen or dining area.spring 2018 4
  4.  Remove heavy throws and blankets that you used as decor.  If you live in a place that’s still cold, put those within reach, but don’t use them as decor.
  5. Change things up!  This would be a good time to rearrange furniture or decor pieces a little.  I added a mirror on my piano so it would reflect the windows that are opposite it.  It brings in extra light and that’s a huge plus in my book!spring 20187
  6. Refresh your entry way.  Make it bright and airy feeling.  Remove boots, scarves and such from this area.  Add brighter colors and touches.spring 2018

I hope this gives you a few ideas as to how to add some pre-spring touches to your home and lift your winter doldrums!

Is it still cold and snowy where you live? Or are you like us and are having 70 degree weather?  I know it won’t stay, but we’re loving it!!

Denise Signature 150 px

home accessories · Home decor · Winter

Transitioning to Winter Decor

RefreshHer3 Comments

The holidays are over and it’s time to pack away all the glittery décor into their red and white plastic containers and let them camp out in the attic.

Sigh.

Taking down the Christmas decorations wouldn’t be so bad if it didn’t leave our homes looking as plain as a gingerbread house straight out of the cardboard box!

At least that what it can feel like.

My attempt at redecorating after Christmas is to think “winter.”  I ask myself what we see outside in the wintertime and try to incorporate those elements into my home.  I’ve taken pictures around the living spaces of my house to give you some ideas as to how I did that.  Maybe it will inspire you might do the same.

Here we go!

Add layers onto your furniture just as you would your body.  It’s gives the look of warmth and coziness.  Quilts and throws on chairs and the sofa and also tucked into baskets are ready for folks to pull around them on those frigid days.  Runners, place-mats, and tablecloths are other layers on the furniture that add warmth to a winter home.

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Add lots of low lights – candles, hospitality lamps, plug-in’s, and battery-operated strands are all great for adding the warmth that light adds. I put a string of battery-operated star lights inside this basket, just for the soft glow it adds!

If you have chalkboard signs, design one that’s appropriate for the season.

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A hot chocolate bar all set and ready for use is a welcomed sight on a cold winter afternoon or evening!

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I love these little wooden coffee spoons I found at Hobby Lobby.  I think they’re perfect for stirring a cup of hot chocolate!

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Here’s another chalkboard design for anytime of the year.  Oh, we need the Lord, don’t we?!

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Add fresh greenery from your grocery store floral department.  It can make things feel more alive!

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A heart dish holding pine cones will welcome in Valentine’s Day!

Winter decor 1

There are lots of other elements you could add like,

  • Ice skates
  • Sleds
  • Long barren tree branches
  • Mittens and scarves

Don’t let your house be cold and uninviting during these winter months!  There are lots of ways to cozy it up while we wait for the tulips to start popping through the frozen earth!

Do you make a conscientious effort to transition from Christmas to winter décor? How so?

 Denise Signature 150 px