Hall Wall Transformation

I recently saw this Hall Wall Transformation on {Decor Chick}

Before, the wall was ok, but just a little blah...

So, she added some molding to dress it up a bit.  And made the photo collage span the entire wall, which I think is a great secret as long as the pieces are large enough. :)  Great job!

But, she didn't think it was quite complete yet, so she kept going.

She just painted right over that textured wall...something I've always wondered about doing to create the illusion of beadboard.  It looks great, though, don't you think? 

Reading Nook

Sometimes all I want is a nice place to go read a book.

And it would be nice if that place just stayed there, specifically designated a reading nook.

Don't these nooks look so comfortable!?  They are almost inviting you to drop everything and sit for a while.

Here's one in a bedroom.  Regardless of where they are in the house, I think these nooks have a calming influence.  They just look comfortable!

Here's a great one from {Pretty Handy Girl} complete with a tutorial for how to transform a closet into a reading nook.

This room is from {The Lettered Cottage} where she has some advice to give about creating a reading nook.  Check it out.

Magnet Bow Keeper

Great idea from {The Mother Huddle}.  It's a bow holder, made out of a frame and a piece of sheet metal.  Put magnets on the sheet metal and stick bows to the magnets.  Easy to make, easy to use.  Great idea.

PINK

For all those grown-up girls who still love pink, here are a few pink spaces with some sophistication.

For a more grown-up look, go for modern pieces and sophisticated lines.  Make sure you throw some substantial pattern in with it, especially if you're using bright pink.

As you can see in all these pictures, it works well as an accent color.  When it becomes the main color in a room, it makes you feel a little crazy, but as an accent, it does it job and livens things up.

I really love bright pink and bright orange together.  So citrusy and summery!

A great way to town pink down a bit is to pair it with a very natural neutral color.  Like the tan in this picture.  The pink in this room looks so pretty to me - not overpowering at all like it usually does.

One thing pink definitely does is glam up a room.  If that's what you're looking for, then here is one sure solution.  Especially when paired with white or gold.

And if you really love pink, you better have this Audrey original somewhere in that pink room. :)

Jar Dispenser

Love this idea.  Very Cute.  Check out {Decor Chick} for the how-to. :)

Play Mats

When I was a kid, my mom took some permanent markers to an old sheet and created a great little play mat town for cars to drive around on.  I've been planning on making something similar for my little guy sometime when he starts driving cars around - which I'm sure will be soon.

But, I just found something SO SO SO much better than the one my mom made.  Seriously, it's amazing.

{Girl and a Glue Gun} just madet his with felt.  The one my mom made was similar, just with markers...but this looks so much cuter and I love it!!  Check out the link for the tutorial, but she sewed a felt border around another pice of felt and attached ties, so it all ties shut.

Plus, I love how the "garage" can hold all the cars.

But what she did next is what made me fall in love with her. :)  She said her niece was playing with it like crazy, so she made a girl one!!  I've never seen a girl version even available to buy anywhere...so creative.

Complete with castle.

And instead of calling it a "garage" the pocket just had the girl's initials on it.

And this one folds up nicely, as well.  I mean, what a great birthday gift!!!

Check out {this} link for the girl tutorial.  LOVE IT!

Hydrangea Cupcakes

When I first saw these cupcakes, I about died!!

They are SO pretty!!!

I thought to myself, you could never make those...

Then I started looking at her tutorial, and actually they look quite easy to make.

Fill a pastry bag with half blue and half purple frosting

And cover the top of a cupcake with little squirts - using the right tip of course...  Does that sound easy!?

I'm definitely going to have to try these.  My favorite kind of diy project - something that looks amazing but is actually quite easy to pull off.  :)  Check out the full tutorial at {Glorious Treats}

Country Party

I love this summertime party I saw on {Hostess with the Mostess}!  How American is this!?  A cowboy theme, miniature pies for everyone, quilts as decorations, hay bails...

Lemonade in mason jars with "howdy" straws...!!!

A good old American potluck - and food decorated with bandanas!

A great big table for everyone to sit at, decorated with daisys in mason jars and pieces of straw.

I love these individual pies!!

It really is Pure Country Style.  Perfect for an outdoor celebration!  And it's another party that looks realistic...like I could actually do this. :)  And so could you.

Living Room Design Consultation

Rita recently contacted me in need of design help.  She wasn't really liking the way her Living Room was put together, but didn't know how to fix it.  She has a long skinny room, which wouldn't be so much of a problem if the entrance weren't in the middle of the room, or if it wasn't a shared space for both a front room and a dining room.  But it is, and it's not the first and definitely not the last room to have problems like these, so here is how we made it work.

Before she had her seating area crowded on one side of the room...

With a piano in the middle, as well as a large open space...

And the dining table on the other side. 

This is the floor plan I gave her, which I think made the biggest difference in this space.

I suggested moving the piano to the far side of the room where her previous seating area had been.  Doing this allowed us to move the seating area to a more central location in the room.

All in all, I think it was a pretty good room makeover.

If you'd like to see more about this or any of my Design Consultations, please go {here}.

Glass Etching

Here's another tutorial from {pen n paper flowers}.  I told you I was obsessed with this party!

So, she etched those bottles for the guests all by herself using these stickers,

And a cute little hole puncher like this or a round one.  She did all kinds. :)

Stick the sticker on and glue the paper frame around it.

Then, using etching cream, she painted the area she wanted etched.

Let it sit for a while.

Ta-Da!  Lovely little personal gift.  Check out the link above for more detailed instructions.

Ribbon Backdrop

I recently saw this party on {Sweet Designs} and it kind of goes along the same style as the Lemonade and Sunshine party I can't get enough of.

Super easy backdrop.  Just vintage ribbons and fabric draped over a pvc pipe.  Get the instructions {here}