Creative Juices Decor

Hey Friends! If there is ONE thing that I have noticed over and over again is that adding TEXTURE to your room will give it that polished, "magazine look" you have always wanted. One of the best ways to add texture to a room is with "fuzzy" blankets or area rugs.  Using greenery is also a wonderful way to add texture.  Just think of all those green leaves, even if they are fake, you can visualize how much texture they can add to a room. But for this post, I thought we would highlight and analyze some home decor pictures where they used animal hide (faux or real) as their main element of texture. Notice the "fuzzy" sheepskin pillow and neutral hide rug.  They have created such a peaceful setting. Adding hide over wood floors is beautiful....two natural elements. I love the contrast - the white rug against the brown floor. Isn't this fancy :-)  This room is full of texture from the decorative wooden ceiling planks to ...

YES my friends, the sports court is finally completed :-) I have to laugh......we thought it would be done at the beginning of summer, but HEY, life never goes as planned so having it finished before snow hits the ground works too ;-) The landscaper did a BEAUTIFUL job and if it wasn't for all the awful issues with the FlexCourt company (who provided our sports tiles, I don't recommend them) it would have been completed a lot earlier. We bought a great high quality portable net.  We store it in the winter and we can take it with us when we travel. The pavers that match our back patio really added a nice finishing touch. :-) One of my favorite things about the court is how much family/friend time we spend on it.  At least 3-4 times a week my husband and I see who can beat the other person in a game of pickleball.   When we have company over we always get them to try at least one game.  Of course, whenever my son's fr...

Has anyone else noticed the smarter the technology gets the dumber it makes you feel? In the beginning of summer I received a "smart" car from my husband (OK, for some reason this makes me chuckle)  Friends, this car is SMART! First off, it came with KEYLESS technology - ya, you just walk up to the car and it unlocks...... magically .....as in, What the heck!?   I just reach out to the handle and it practically speaks my name, welcomes me and invites me in (I am just happy it doesn't offer me candy or ask if I want to see a cute little puppy - I would RUN away if that happened.)  ;-) Now, if you ever leave your keyless gadget IN the car and walk out it YELLS at you.....seriously, if you feel dumb when people honk at you when the light turns green just get ready to feel the same way over and over again when you leave your keyless entry "keys" in the car and attempt to lock and leave. First off, I NO LONGER NEED KEYS (Really ...

Hi Friends! At my house I always have bananas. :-) Not that I personally eat them a lot, but bananas are cheap and healthy so I feel like if I have them on my counter at all times the chances that my children will grab a banana (over chips) are elevated - hee,hee. This recipe gets 2 thumbs up from the dorky carrot and corn "people" i.e. my son and me ;-) Unfortunately what usually happens to my nice display of counter bananas is quite a few of them turn black - well, maybe just a very spotted brown. :-) I have 2, gallon size bags in my freezer full of peeled very ripe bananas.  I use them in banana shakes for my kids ALL the time (just bananas, milk, and plain Greek yogurt.....sometimes I add cottage cheese too, they have NO idea as it is so well blended)   When I found this recipe on Pinterest I had to give it a shot.  I am all about just dumping ingredients in a bowl and baking it up (sorry to disappoint anyone who thought I might have been a go...

Hey friends!   For us, this was the year of the bikes :-) Last year was the year of the front landscape - ha!  It's actually quite an investment to get each family member a good quality bike! Shoot!! But, since we made the investment, we wanted to take advantage of the  amazing bike trails over here in Idaho.   Last weekend we went on one of the most loved bike trails in the area - the Hiawatha Trail .  It was so much fun and had the most breathtaking scenery ever!   Looking DOWN off one of the wooden bridges we crossed - YIKES! The nice thing about this trail is it's family friendly (not just for the fitness fanatics.) You start at the top and continue for 15 miles (yes, my 7 year old biked 15 miles!) but once you get to the bottom they shuttle bus you back to the top :-)   The absolute coolest (literally and figuratively) thing about the trail is the mile long TUNNELS it has. ...

Alright my friends - here you have it!  THE "ALL IN ONE"  SECRET SPILLING POST that will help you the rest of your life!  Hey, I had to write something to catch your attention!  Honestly, even though I have my degree in "Interior Design Technology", I have to say, the most practical design secrets I have learned have been from working hands on in the field.  So now, I'm going to share my TOP FIVE design secrets with YOU! What we'll cover (and I bet you've been wondering about!)  1.)  How to know what size your area rug should be.   2.) The best way to  hang your curtains and place the rod. 3.) Painting tips and paint knowledge you can't live without.       (paint is a designers BFF - seriously!) 4.)  Great ideas on gallery wall layouts.    5.) How  far you should hang your art over a sofa or console table.      (and what size your art should...