Finishing Touches

I did a post a few months ago showing my kitchen paint job.  I must say I LOVE this color and I am happy I finally painted.  But after looking at the wall with the plain basket weave place mats- they no longer popped the way I wanted. 

I needed a way to to make this easy and affordable art make a larger impact now that the walls were a darker color.  I decided to frame each place mat.  I used simple and cheap white frames from IKEA. 

I had a slight problem when I noticed the white mat was larger than the place mat.  I needed a fast and easy solution.

My solution- paint the corners the color of the wall.

Painting the empty space in each corner the color of the wall took away from a spot that was standing out.

I love that these simple place mats from Pier 1 look like art with a little framing help from Ikea.  Each cost about $3 per place mat and the frames were $20.00.  

Much more noticeable as you enter the house through the hallway.

Apples and Honey Giveaway!

Hi everyone- thanks for stopping by my blog.  This is where I explore my creative side, by posting crafting ideas, organizing ideas, and other moments in my life.  If you sign up for the giveaway and win! And birds aren't your thing- PLEASE feel free to email me here for a custom dictionary page picture- I would be happy to switch out the birds for something else.  Here are some other dictionary pages that I have done.

Checkout the giveaway at www.applesandhoneyphotography.com !!!

linen closet organization

After organizing the pantry this summer, I had to have the other closets feeling the same way.  There is something about a well organized space that makes me happy! Finally last Sunday I opened my linen closet and decided that was the day to get it looking the way I wanted.

Here is the before- oh my can't believe I let it look like this for so long.  Items just setting on the shelves in no particular order.  This picture is driving me nuts already!

The after: all items organized into baskets that have categories and labels. Ahhh- doesn't this just make you feel better!!

I used a spice shelf to organize my fingernail polish.  It allows me to see exactly what colors I have- so I don't buy doubles.  It is easy to pick my color- feels more like the nail salon.

Remember the more stuff you have the harder it is to stay organized! So a big part of this project was PURGING!  Going through all my hair supplies, lotions, makeup and getting rid of those items I don't use or were out of date.  Trust me having only what you need can be very refreshing!! 

What closet have you been wanting to clean out? GO FOR IT!!

The Truth Behind a Chalkboard

When I first wanted to make a chalkboard back in the spring, I must admit, it was for a very specific purpose.  Although the purpose changed within the months, it is finally being used for what I had envisioned all along!!

My chalkboard back in March- with a saying built around HOPE.

Ian and I could not be more excited about this moment in time!!

A Touch of Fall

I LOVE decorating for the seasons! Once the end of September rolls around I can't wait to pull out my pumpkin spice candles and berries.  I wanted to share how I put a little fall into my decor- emphasis on a LITTLE fall- no need to have a pumpkin in every nook and cranny. :) 

A little addition to the fireplace mantel. 

The smell of fall is my favorite.

Then I wanted to use my dictionary page in the dining room as seasonal decor, so I printed out a few fall options.

I have one all ready for the winter.

I went with the pumpkin.

 All I need to do now is add a few mums and pumpkins to my front porch.
Happy Fall!!

Beyond Builder Basic

Often times when builders are making their final touches to a new house they select one color that is then splashed on EVERY wall in EVERY room of that new house.  This is how our home was when we first moved in.  Luckily it was a shade of tan that I do like, but I truly believe that no house should ever be one single color from top to bottom- how boring!  Start slow- select rooms that are small or that inspire you first. When we first moved in, I started with the laundry room.  Just a small room that could use a bit of brightness as we are in and out if there often.

Just a nice beachy blue

Handmade clothes pin stencils

After the laundry room, I moved on to the dining room, one long wall in the staircase, and a wall in the master bedroom.

Just a few weeks ago, I set my eyes on the kitchen.  Tan surrounded by all the white.  It needed something.  I decided on a darker shade of grey- because my entire main level is very open so it had to be a color that went with all of the other decor.  I must say grey is a tricky color!  I highly recommend getting the small sample sizes and trying them out.  These different shades kept reading blue instead of grey- back to Lowes I went.  Finally after selecting the right shade the work began.

Before- the tan walls

Sampling all the possibilities

Starting with the trim

I am really happy with the results- a little color to all the white trim and white cabinets.  Thinking about what room to do next!