Hello House!

So several months ago we decided it was time to move on to a bigger house.  If we wanted to ever expand our family, we needed more space!!  We moved into a 2 bedroom/2.5 bathroom townhouse when we were married.  It was great for us 2 but then came our daughter.  Our office/exercise room/guestroom would now be a nursery.  We had to get rid of the guest furniture to accommodate a crib, a dresser, and changing table.  Not to mention the exercise equipment and large tv stand were staying in the room.  After our daughter turned 2, the house was just becoming too cramped.  All of her toys were taking over the house.  LET'S MOVE I kept screaming.  My hubby finally gave in.  

In January we starting looking.  We saw several that we thought would be our next place but our offers weren't being accepted.  I happened to come across a home listing one day that was in a neighborhood I never thought we would get into.  We made an offer and it was accepted!!!!!  WOO HOO!!  We got a house.  Talk about excitement.  It has a ton of space for us to grow into.  It has 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, formal living and dining rooms, large kitchen, and a family room.  So much more than we could ever have asked for.  Now the question is, can we afford to decorate it all?

Outside Looking In

Ok, so I know many of you have that nice little window pane on the side of your front door.

I love that it lets the light in on nice days, but I don't like that people standing on your doorstep can see right in.  I wanted a solution to this problem.  I saw some nice window decals at Home Depot but I wasn't really liking any of the styles they had.

Searching through some blogs, I found that Thrifty Decor Chick used contact paper to frost her pantry door.  Interesting, I thought.  I went to search for frosted contact paper but came to find out it's actually clear when you're looking in the store.  Brought it home and applied it to the window.  I did like that it covered the window, but did not like that I couldn't see who was now standing outside my door.  All I could see was a shadow.  It was either this or go back to Home Depot to get the window decal application.  I didn't want to spend the money for something I wasn't in love with.  I had an idea.

I could create me own decal.  I searched for a stencil I could use to make my own design in the contact paper.  I ended up making my own stencil using diamonds.

I traced the diamond pattern on the window and started cutting out my stencil.  It was actually going pretty well until my husband made a comment that I may be cutting the window.  And yes he was right.  I pulled off a few pieces to see and sure enough you could see my etchings in the glass where I was tracing with a razor blade.  Ok so now what.  I still wanted my own design on the window.  I had to get creative.  I pulled off all the contact paper.  I used the same stencil but had to go another route.  I traced the template on the contact paper and cut out each diamond and applied them individually to the window.  It didn't take long once I started.  I must say I love how it turned out.  I now have a custom window decal.  

Linking to:

Thrifty Decor Chick * The Shabby Chic Cottage * Sassy Sites * Home Stories A to Z * The Trendy Treehouse * Savvy Southern Style * The DIY Showoff * Under the Table and Dreaming * The Shabby Creek Cottage * My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia * Delightful Order * The 36th Avenue * Bear Rabbit Bear * Chic on a Shoestring Decorating * Craft Junkie Too * Roca and Company * Simply Sweet Home * Passionately Artistic * 2805 *

A New Start

Yay I did it.  I'm starting a blog and so excited to join this community.  I didn't see this coming.  It all started a couple of months ago. We just bought a new house and I was on a quest for home decor ideas, but trying to maintain a budget.  Through some searches, I was coming across a ton of design blogs that included DIY projects.  I was reading through them and have been hooked ever since.  They really got my creative juices flowing.  Why haven't I come across this before?   There was a whole world out there I knew nothing about.  I can't wait to share my ideas with you as I unleash my new love of interior decorating.

Jeffrey Allan Marks

I have to admit - I'm a reality show junkie!  And nothing is better than watching interior designers going from house to house decorating beautiful spaces.  If any of you haven't seen Million Dollar Decorators - it's a must see!  Not only is it educational - it's hilarious;  the eccentric personalities and relationships of these decorators will leave you rolling on the floor with laughter!  

This show is by far my all-time-favorite!

Below are some images of Jeffrey Allan Marks' creative spaces, he is one of the decorators on the show:

all images via Elle Decor

Jeffrey's design aesthetic is based on clean lines and classic proportions.

I love the calming color palette! 

Hoping all are having a wonderful week!

Kerri Russell's Brownstone Home...

Kerri Russell and her husband restored this beautiful brownstone in Brooklyn, New York.

They created the perfect spaces using beautiful reclaimed woods, linen furniture and unique vintage pieces:

all images via Elle Decor

I just found my new favorite Brownstone!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Paris Meets Pebble Beach...

One of my all-time-favorite homes was in the Veranda magazine several years ago!  Betty Burgess was the master mind behind this beautiful mid-century Parisian home.  Burgess honors European classicism flawlessly -  combining the perfect amount of modern rusticity throughout the home! 

all images via Veranda Magazine

What a masterpiece!

I hope you all have a wonderful week!

The Dhurrie Rug...

My favorite rug I had in my last home was the Dhurrie Rug! 

Not only was it affordable - it was long wearing, easy cleaning and non-shedding.

I was so nervous to put a rug under my kitchen table, but this particular rug cleaned up so well and worked perfect.

If you're looking for a new rug - go with Dhurrie, you won't be disappointed!

This particular rug was under my kitchen table, it's called the Soho Dhurrie

Notice how versatile these rugs are, they go with everything!

Check them out - they're awesome!

Can't Get Enough...

Every time I see a foyer, kitchen, office space, or bedroom with a lantern... I swoon!

What is about me and lanterns - I'm obsessed with them!  They bring so much timeless character to a room; they don't shout out at you, but they bring the perfect amount of balanced dimension to any style:

all images via Decor Pad

Nothing is more complimentary than vintage chandeliers coupled with lanterns!

They go with everything!  When in doubt - go with the lantern!

... Timeless In Provence

I never get tired of beautiful images of Provence!

They bring so much inspiration and happiness to my day - hopefully they'll bring some to yours:

all images via Cote Sud

The weekend is upon us!  I hope you all have a good one!