Extending Our Living Space Outdoors
I’m outdoorsy…in the fact that I like to sit outside and eat, read, watch my kids play, or drink wine. When the weather is nice, I almost can’t bear to stay inside. I wanted a nice bug free area to eat meals and visit with friends. So the first thing we did when we moved …
Four Things to Remember for Celebrating the Fourth
It’s almost upon us! That mid-summer holiday we love to celebrate with family and friends — the Fourth of July. To keep your entertaining simple and enjoyable, here are four things to think about as you plan your celebration. 1. Festive decorations. These are simple ways to up the festive factor for your gathering. Notice …
Weekend Project: Succulent Dish Gardening
Noticed lately all the impossibly gorgeous pics of succulents and cactus gardens and terrariums popping up in DIY blogs and home décor magazines? I certainly did and was intrigued by the idea of a DIY “gardening” project that called for little to no gardening skills or knowledge. Sure, you can find ready-made ones at your …
How-to: Stress-Free Outdoor Entertaining
I love to entertain outdoors! It can be the simplest way to entertain, and who doesn’t want simple during the spring and summer months?? All it takes is some preparation and organization and you will be able to join your guests in the fun, instead of working throughout your party. I’ve pulled together my favorite …
Red, White and Beautiful: Flag Day-inspired Decor
This week we commemorate that star-spangled banner that waves proudly outside of schools, buildings and down-home front porches from one coast to the next. It’s Flag Day (tomorrow)! Source: Design by Artistic Designs for Living If you’re looking to bring a bit of patriotic flair to your abode, it’s time for a little red, white …
The Perfect Father’s Day Gift
The Perfect Father’s Day Gift I’ve never had an issue finding dad’s sweet spot when it comes to the perfect Father’s Day gift. The man is always in the process of restoring a vintage muscle car or another, and he delights in gifts that justify his need for speed. So needless to say, dad has …
Grey: The New Neutral
There was a time in my home decorating journey (and it IS a journey) that I embraced bold colors on walls and on furniture. Over the past few years, my taste for that has waned, in favor of soft neutral backgrounds with punches of color coming in my accessories (did you catch my recent guest …
Guestroom Refresh on a Dime
There’s nothing like a deadline to make you get your act together on your home decor projects! In my case, my son’s graduation is looming and I needed to makeover my guest space to graciously accommodate out-of-towners. My budget? Minimal. But fortunately, I had a vision. I was starting with a dark space, previously a …
Easy Ideas to Enhance Curb Appeal
It’s spring, and that means time for planting and cleaning up our yards and gardens. Sometimes, creating the look you want for your yard can feel daunting. Here are some easy ideas for creating instant curb appeal. Paint & Plant in Containers I had a bunch of pots that weren’t the same style or color, …
Decorating Secrets Revealed
Ever seen a great room in a decor magazine or show and wondered, “man, how do they make it look that good?” The answer is simple: trade secrets! Designers and decorators have written and rewritten the book on making their clients’ homes feel more comfortable and complete; and they all have go-to tricks that deliver …