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Showing posts from April, 2013

Kitchen Counter Top Options From A Homeowner's Experience

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It's absolutely amazing these days how many options we have in regards to kitchen counter tops.  Counter tops seem to make such a strong first impression that choosing the RIGHT one can be overwhelming and confusing.  I have lived in 6 homes in my 15 years of marriage and have had the opportunity to build 3 out of the six from scratch.   Two were 100% my choice from top to bottom. So it means I have had experience and LIVED with these 4 counter tops: Laminate (or Formica) Concrete Tile Honed Granite Laminate counter tops is  just a wipe-clean, plastic laminate of paper or fabric with melamine resin.  It is VERY widely used in entry level homes because of it's excellent price point.  Laminate comes in tons of different patterns and colors.  Be sure to check out the different edges laminates has to offer.  My favorite choice for laminate is to choose a dull finish that mimics granite or something ...

How to Decorate With Your Collections

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I have to say, I do love collections.  They can turn something that would be very hard to decorate with singularly, into something that looks spectacular and demands attention. Just look how Pottery Barn decorated this bedroom with a collection of vintage hand held mirrors!  It really adds character to the room. I've had my share of collections, probably my favorite is tea cups.  I have a lot of unique ones and come tea party time, it's always fun to pull out the sets!   As you guy know, I've also collected old plates at thrift stores and have set up this plate collection in my powder room.  That post comes with a great tutorial how to hang your plates for free! And who doesn't come home with tons of sea shells after vacationing on the beach?   I love this idea by Cheryl.  She used an old printer tray and filled it with her shells.  She made such a great vignette by pairing it with other beach themed ...

~ Decorating Around Driftwood and the Sea~

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I don't know about you, but I'm getting a little antsy for SUMMER!  I want to see the sunshine and the blue seas sparkling :-) How about this beautiful picture?  Wouldn't it be nice to be there RIGHT NOW! Source I have always loved the idea of decorating around drift wood and the sea .  As you know, my grandparents have lived up in the San Juan Islands for most of my childhood.  I have the best memories up there and just steps away from their home is the beach with tons of driftwood! Right on my grandparents property!  Does it get any prettier? I love how Pottery Barn just stuck a piece of driftwood above the child's bed and decorated around it! Easy enough and pretty much FREE! How about this beautiful summery beach scene just painted on old wood.  That would look so great in a beach themed kids room over a bed too! Aimee Weaver How about the next time you head to the beach, collect a few pieces for a basket (as ...

Ideas and Tips on Decorating with Shutters

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I absolutely LOVE shutters......I love them as unusable window covering options and I love them used separately as home decor. Doesn't this picture just make you happy??   source You can see in my home, I placed "Cafe" shutters in my dining room. Closed Open Like always, people all over Blogland have come up with fun and new ways to use leftover shutters. How about as a HEADBOARD!  Isn't that color gorgeous?  Very coastal feeling. How about covering an entire WALL with old shutters!!  Keep your eye out at thrift stores and garage sales! Source Of course, you can always just find ONE shutter and paint it to match your home decor and use it to : hang kitchen accessories  make a coat/towel rack or hang photos source West Furniture Revival I love the idea of using a piece like this for holding Christmas cards too!  Holly put little key hooks on this to use as an organi...

Don't Waste Another Penny - Tips for Saving BIG on Kids Clothes!

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Hello my friends!  (Mothers, Grandmas, and all clothes buyers!) I just thought a post that lists great resources on how to buy kids clothes as inexpensively as possible would be fun. I'll document the day I just had at the thrift store, and then I'll add some tips at the end for buying clothes at substantially discounted prices.  For those thinking you can only find worn out, out of date clothing in thrift stores- think again! Almost ALL my kids clothes are from thrift stores and they look cute ;-) Thrift store boots, eBay $10.00  dress (including shipping)  Jacket was a gift. You see, people spend a LOT of money buying name brand clothes for their kids but they grow out of them SO FAST and most of those clothes end up at a thrift store.  So, why spend tons of money every year when you can buy name brand clothing and shop like this!! Here is my last trip to the local thrift store.  It was their w...