How I Keep My Decorating Style with Young Kids in the House

Is it possible to keep your personal decorating style with young children in the home? This is a question I pondered for a couple of years after my first daughter was born back in 2011. Eventually, I found the answer was YES! You absolutely can. You will, of course, have to compromise in some areas for matters of safety and mess making, but overall, it is still possible to have a stylish home that you and your children can enjoy.

Last summer, I shared a guest post over at Yellow Bliss Road with 5 Tips for Kid Friendly Decor. Today, I am resharing portions of that post, along with more thoughts and ideas on how to keep your own style and make your home inviting and safe for the little folks.

Boho Chic Jewelry Trays from Thrift Store Finds

Way back in August, I shared a fun tutorial on Jennifer Rizzo's blog on how to transform otherwise overlooked thrift store trays into chic jewelry storage solutions. I love finding inexpensive and creative ways to get things organized in our home. These trays were perfect for my go-to pieces of jewelry that I had strewn about on my dresser. They would also make cute gifts this time of year for anyone who loves jewelry or bohemian style. You could also attach hooks on the back to hang them on the wall as unique works of art. I hope you enjoy the original post:

Creating your own chic jewelry storage can be easy by upcycling some inexpensive thrift store finds.  I have a fun tutorial for you today on how to make these bohemian style trays!

Have you ever run across these wooden leaves and bowls at garage sales or thrift shops?

Outdoor Thanksgiving Table Ideas {Fall Back Patio Tour}

Last month, I shared a guest post over at Yellow Bliss Road with my never-gonna-happen-in-this-lifetime-unless-I-move dream of hosting a Thanksgiving dinner outdoors. It is already very chilly here in Western, NY, so we will be spending the day indoors, but I wanted to share the post here anyways, in case it might inspire some of you who live in a warmer climate than I!

Christmas at the Cabin: Holiday Inspiration 2014

I have partnered with Balsam Hill for this post. All opinions are my own. 

Can you believe Christmas will be here soon? I know, I know…today is Halloween, and I should be stuffing my face with candy and thinking about trick-or-treating, but honestly, Christmas is already on my mind. And you know what style you can never go wrong with? A rustic, cabin Christmas.

Now all of you "Don't-you-dare-put-a-Christmas-decoration-up-before-Thanksgiving" folks out there, please don't get me wrong…I am not about pushing the holiday ahead, but rather making it last longer. It always comes so quickly and I would hate to only get to enjoy it for a few weeks, you know? I want to savor each day from now until the new year.

Easy Autumn Simmer Pot

Autumn is my favorite time of year, and I am already getting a bit sad that October is almost over. I love everything about this season including the glorious scents of fall, which is why I love bringing them into my home. Today, I have a super easy simmer pot method that will get your house smelling fabulous all November! Then you can just change it up a bit around Christmas time and keep the loveliness going all holiday season.

You will find recipes for these all over the internet and Pinterest. I have seen them for years now, and finally decided it was time to try it out for myself and sure enough…it worked like magic!

Vintage Eclectic Gallery Wall

Do you love gallery walls as much as I do? I can't get enough of them, and find myself creating them all over my house. A few months ago, I shared one that I created in my art studio, over on Jennifer Rizzo's blog. Today, I am sharing it with all of you…my lovely readers! You know I love you, right?

I hope you enjoy this little peek into my art studio (let me just preface this by saying the rest of it is nowhere near done, ha! Someday…right?) And if you read this post, I mentioned that I will eventually be turning this room into my children's shared bedroom, at which time I will have to say goodbye to this gallery wall {insert my sad face here}. But, those are the things you gotta do sometimes when you live in a small house. And I will get to enjoy it until then…

There are so many great posts out there about planning out your gallery wall, how to arrange it just so, and step by step tutorials for putting it together. I think those are awesome.

Rustic Bohemian Patio Makeover

Earlier this week, I shared the before and after of my porch and patio that I was able to get all spiffed up for fall. {Click here if you missed it and want to see the "Before" first} Today, I am sharing more details of the patio itself, that I decked out in rustic bohemian flair. I was kinda hating on this space before, but now I love it!

DIY Outdoor Storage Organization {Without a Garage or Shed}

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Rubbermaid, but all my opinions are my own. #PMedia #FallFixUp http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

One of the most difficult quirks about some older homes, is that they lack in adequate storage. Our home, is no exception, and one area where we especially struggle is outdoors. We have no garage or storage shed. We have a large covered patio at the back of the house and a smaller porch area off of the mudroom. And that's pretty much it. 

Is there any hope for those of us in this situation to get our outdoor space organized?

Since we are constantly working on our home, the small porch area has sadly become a space for anything and everything. I have long wanted to create a designated trash and bottle & can storage spot, and finally decided enough was enough. With fall on the way, now was the time to do it! Cold weather will be here before we know it, so I had to take advantage of a warm summer weekend. Don't you love when you finally get the motivation to do something you have put off for years?

First, I suppose, I have to show you the porch before. But I must warn you: It. Is. Scary.

Are you ready for the truth behind this blogger's house? 

Rustic Modern Boho Fall Decor Inspiration

With fall quickly approaching, I start getting the itch to redecorate, but I am not ready to go full on pumpkins and halloween yet. Today, I am sharing my version of "rustic modern bohemian fall", which is a style that can go all year but blends perfectly with sophisticated autumn decor. 

5 Minute No Sew Drop Cloth Curtains

Canvas drop cloth curtains have been increasing in popularity for a few years now and there is good reason, they are durable, washable, inexpensive and so easy to transform into beautiful drapes that look like linen without the cost. Here is how I made mine in about five minutes and without sewing…

I love the texture (and price) of the Blue Hawk drop cloths available at Lowe's, which is what I used in the photographs shown here. I have bought several from there and now have curtains made from them in both my living room and playroom.

Changes Around the House: Embracing Your Personal Style

Our individual styles in interior decorating are always growing and evolving. For some of us, trends come and go, and we ride along enjoying them for a time and then moving on to the next…and the next…and the next. Just like fashion. Sometimes it is hard to pin point your own personal home decor style when you find your preferences changing.

Do you stay in the box you have always been…or do you branch out to try something new?

Sundays at Home No. 16 | 6 Elements for Creating Farmhouse Style {in any home}

Welcome to Sundays at Home No. 16! I am so grateful for all of you who come and link up every week. I absolutely love looking through your posts and find so much inspiration here.

I have another great round-up for you this week: 6 Elements for Creating Farmhouse Style that can be done in any style home. Whether you live in the country, the city, or somewhere in between, adding these simple touches will create an inviting rustic farmhouse look.

Sundays at Home No. 15 | 9 Amazing DIY & Home Decor Transformations

Welcome to the fifteenth week of Sundays at Home! I have a great round up for you this week of 9 amazing DIY & home decor transformations that were linked up last week. I love all of these projects and thank you guys for always linking up such inspiring posts.

The Collector | DIY Feather and Plate Wall Art

I'm a hoarder a collector.

I love things. I love certain kinds of things. And then when I love certain kinds of things, I love having lots of those kinds of things.

I am a collector.

What makes me drawn to certain things?

5 Tips for Managing Without a Foyer

A couple of weeks ago I shared my informal entryway that opens directly into the living room. Today, I am going to share five tips that make this area work, since I know that I am not the only unfortunate one who doesn't have a grand entrance, right? And often times, it can be one of the most difficult spaces to organize and decorate.