Transform Your Home in 30 Days: The Love Your Home Challenge

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One of the things I’ve learned as a homemaker is that small, consistent efforts add up to the bigger changes we dream of for our homes and families. Finding joy and contentment with what we already have—right where we are—is often all we need. For readers who are new here, I wrote a book called … Read more

What We’ve Been Up To Lately: News and Updates

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Wow — a few days passed without a post. If you’ve ever wondered what bloggers do when they’re quiet, for me it usually means life projects are happening offline. It’s hard to both blog all day and get things done around the house. I also spent some time pinning, which is definitely easier than writing … Read more

Speed Cleaning Tips for Fast, Efficient Home Cleaning

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Lovely kitchen by Pretty Handy Girl // Photo via BHG Cleaning and Housekeeping Tips Summertime should be about enjoying sunshine and downtime, but the house still needs attention. You don’t have to spend all day cleaning to keep your home comfortable — a little planning and efficiency can make your home “clean enough” and leave … Read more

Vote for Me for a Chance to Win a $10,000 Shopping Spree

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A few weeks ago I was invited by friends at Apartment Guide to take part in a fun design challenge. They gave me a generous budget and asked me to shop online for furniture and decor for four different rooms. Who wouldn’t say yes to shopping on someone else’s dime? It was a virtual exercise, so I didn’t get to keep the pieces I picked, but the process was enjoyable and creative.

I had a specific budget for each room (more than I’ve typically spent on a single space), and I was asked to create rooms in particular styles. My first assignment was to design a modern living room, and you can see the selections I chose on Apartment Guide’s design board below.

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Lantern Ceiling Lights for Bedroom: Fresh Lighting Ideas

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Now that the new year is here, I’ve been focused on design choices to make our new house feel like our own. I’ve always loved lantern-style lighting—remember the copper and iron lantern we used in our Craftsman lake house dining room?—so choosing a lantern for our bedroom felt like a natural first purchase. Below I’m … Read more

Repurpose Furniture into a Stylish Bathroom Vanity: Creative Ideas

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I was browsing inspiration photos this week and came across a slideshow on Better Homes & Gardens showcasing creative repurposed furniture. I love bathroom designs that have character, and these transformed vanities really stood out. Each image made me think about pieces I already own and how they could be reimagined as a vanity. You … Read more

Spring Coffee Table Puttering Projects and Styling Ideas

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Ive been puttering again — it’s my form of creative therapy and it always relaxes me. I enjoy rearranging accessories around the house, mixing old and new pieces, and balancing texture and shine to create a fresh tablescape. A few weeks ago I brought home a new coffee table and it instantly added a rustic, … Read more

Refresh Your Kitchen with New Cabinet Knobs and Pulls

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1 // 2 // 3 // 4 If you’re updating your kitchen, add a little pizazz. One of the simplest, most cost-effective updates is swapping out the hardware. New knobs and pulls instantly personalize a new or first home without a big budget. Examples and tutorials have inspired many DIYers to refresh cabinet hardware with … Read more

5 Charming Cottage Mudroom and Entry Ideas for Cozy Homes

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@ispydiy An entryway or mudroom quietly sets the tone for a home. It’s the first space that greets you when you walk in and the last you pass through on the way out. Whether you have a roomy mudroom with built-ins or a simple bench by the door, these areas combine practical storage with welcoming … Read more

Printable Thanksgiving Decorations and Crafts (Free Downloads)

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I’m Thankful For Printable – Download at Blesser House Pumpkin Leaves Free Printable – Download at Ella Claire Thanksgiving Leftovers Printables – Download at Coco + Kelley (photography by Meghan Klein for Coco + Kelley; printables by Marabou Design for Coco + Kelley) Thankful Tree “I Am Thankful For” Tags – Download at Jones Design … Read more