Category: Home decor

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!

Continue reading “Creating a Home You Love” →

Craft Room · Guest Room · Home decor · refreshment at home

Redecorating the Craft Room

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Ever since we moved into our home I have loved having a room designated for my sewing and crafting.  This room also houses as day bed, so it has also served as a guest room on occasions.

But the room just didn’t feel right to me and I have been looking for a chance to rearrange the furniture and see if I could make it function better and feel a bit more Continue reading “Redecorating the Craft Room” →

Easter · Home decor · spring · Tablescapes

Five Spring Tablescapes

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Spring!  I believe it is my favorite season.  Its newness reminds me of Easter and the hope Christ’s resurrection gives to dead things – like my sinful life!  How thankful I am for life in Christ!

Then spring also makes creation come alive! We can see the beautiful life as described in this passage ~

Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteouness, and the people with his truth. Psalm 96:12, 13

Spring is also a great time to bring life inside our homes!  It can start at the kitchen or dining room table. I love making pretty tablescapes, but I love it even more when I gather all the needed items from my house and don’t have to purchase one thing!!

I gave myself a challenge to create as many centerpieces for a spring tablescape using the colors green, blue and yellow with just things I had on hand.  I set simple dinnerware on the table to give the idea of what the table setting might look like, but I focused on creating different springtime centerpieces.  Here are the results ~

#1 – I have had this silk tulip arrangement for quite a few years.  It looks so real that most people think I had a delivery from the florist!  This dressier centerpiece is high enough that it doesn’t obstruct the view at the table.  In other words, you don’t have to pick it up to have a conversation with the person sitting across from you!!

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#2 – This is the live plant from my laundry room!  I popped it into a yellow pot and that was it!  A burlap bow or ribbon would be pretty tied around the pot. This makes a good every day kind of table.

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#3 – My sister brought me this cute little felt basket when she visited recently.  It’s filled with Easter grass, treats and some plastic eggs.  The turquoise cake stand adds a little height and makes it a little more grand than if it was sitting right on the table. This would be a nice centerpiece for Easter breakfast with the family.spring 9

 

#4 – This is a live Asparagus Fern that I keep in my kitchen.  Fresh greenery is always a plus to have on hand and put to use in centerpieces!  I like it LOTS better than the silk variety! This fern and basket give a more casual look to the table.

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#5 –  Using an odd number is always wise when you’re adding decor to your home.  Here are three blue Mason jars lined in the center of the table with silk yellow flowers  spilling over to the other jars.

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Well, that was fun!  Do you have a favorite?  Which do you vote for?

I hope this inspires you to make your kitchen table pretty for spring!

Happy Spring!

Denise Signature 150 px

 

Home decor · laundry · refreshment at home

Spiffing Up the Laundry Room

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laundry room

Probably most of us spend lots of time in the laundry room, so it only makes sense to make it a pretty place that we can enjoy!  Here are a few things that I’ve done to love hanging out (pun intended!) in there.

My laundry room is bright with a window that has a lovely view of the mountains and the countryside, so I didn’t want a curtain that would cover it.  Instead, I hung a valance at the top so I could always see out.

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I also like to have a small lamp glowing on top of the dryer; it just adds a warmth to the room.  To keep it from sliding around while the dryer is operating, I put a fabric placemat on top.  A jar of clothespins , a fragrance warmer and a pretty calendar make the vignette complete.

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Fun artwork is a great detail and doesn’t have to be expensive.  I found several things recently for under $5 that I love!  Target had this “Fresh and clean” sign in the dollar spot.  It was $3!  My laundry room doubles as Liza’s space where her food and litter box are.  The command hook holds a small basket with baggies that I use for Liza’s canned food.

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To keep the litter box hidden, I use a hinged window shutter.  I have a wooden step that holds all the “stuff” – laundry soap, litter scoop, paper towels, etc. Baskets keep it all neat.

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I found I was using the doorknob to hang clothes that needed to be line dried.  When I was at Dollar General this week I found a cute Button hook to use instead.  It was only $2.50!!

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I love plants with blooms that last.  This little guy was a gift to me by a sweet guest.  I’m not sure what it is, though it reminds me of a Mimosa. (Does anyone know what it is?) It needs very little attention, but keeps those yellow blooms ALL the time!  It really perks up this corner.  The stool it’s sitting on is where I store Liza’s cat food.

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I added a throw rug on the floor and some baskets on the shelf over the appliances for extra storage.  I love this space.  Maybe that’s why I don’t mind doing a load of laundry every single day!

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The only other thing I’d add if I could would be a small chandelier, but because we have the pot lighting in the ceiling, it might be a little too difficult to make that happen.  Even if it doesn’t, I’m totally loving my laundry room.  It just makes me smile!

Do you love your laundry room/space?  What could you add to give it a more inviting appeal?

Denise Signature 150 px

 

home accessories · Home decor · Pre-Spring

Kicking Winter Out Of the House

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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