If you have been following me for a while you know how much I love a pretty table setting. A friend recently introduced me to Lucy Grymes. Lucy Grymes is a paper and lifestyle brand that creates paper products that are both beautiful and easy to use. Lucy sent me a really pretty assortment of her vase wraps and paper placemats. I worked with the vase wraps this past weekend, with my friend Kelley, to create a really pretty fall tablescape. All of the paper placemat prints are so gorgeous too. I am working on some table settings so stay tuned. But, I think I need to copy some of Lucy’s ideas which I have included below. To see her complete line or to order your own vase covers or placemats, click HERE.
Here are my arrangements on my dining room table:
And here is my friend Kelley’s that she put in her pretty living room. We LOVED working with the vase wraps. We both covered a stemless wine glass for each arraignment!
And here was our inspiration!!!!
When your life gets busy, you can put aside outstanding tasks to concentrate on what is important at the time. This can include tidying up your dresser in your bedroom. Spending a few moments straightening the contents on top of and inside this piece of furniture will make your life easier later when you are searching for something. Here are a few tips for organizing your things.
Account For What Is Inside
Empty out the drawers and set the contents on the floor or on your bed to sort through. This is a good time to determine if the article of clothing is something you still wear or if you want to get rid of it. Store away clothes that are out of season, then prepare to bring them out when it is time. Pile like items together and decide what drawer they would fit best in. Save the smaller spaces for things like underwear or socks and the larger ones for sweaters, sweatshirts, and pants. If there is something that would work better on a hanger, take the time to hang it in your closet instead.
Organize The Top Of the Dresser
Clear away the belongings on top of the dresser and wipe off the dust or other debris on it. Analyze what was there and decide where it should actually go. If it is a random piece of clothing, place it in the drawer it belongs. If you have different pieces of jewelry lying around, set them back in the box they belong in for safekeeping or add a decorative dish to hold these items. If your jewelry storage is also a mess, slip some jewelry inserts inside so that you can organize them by category. Set up any art or decorative pieces that you might have displayed on your dresser to finish off the look.
What To Do With the Extra Items
Once you have your dresser organized, determine what to do with the items that you are willing to part with. You can post them in an online marketplace site or clean the rest of your house and have a garage sale. You can consider donating them to a non-profit organization that has a discount store of their own to raise money for their cause or contact the veterans to come pick up your donations. This is very easy to do and very satisfying. If these objects have a sentimental value to you, pack them carefully into a box and store them somewhere that is cool and dry, like your attic or basement. Purchase an airtight container to store them in to protect them from the elements and to prevent anything from falling on them and damaging them.
The holidays are just around the corner and although things may be different this year, it’s time to start thinking about preparing your home to get it clean and organized. This will make it festive and cozy for you and your loved ones.
Now you may be thinking it’s a little early to start thinking about the holidays but they will soon be here and there’s no time like the present. Plus, if you start preparing in advance, it means there is less for you to do when the holiday season arrives and you can enjoy the festivities stress-free.
Try taking on a different cleaning or organizing chore each week and it won’t feel as overwhelming. Here are some ways that you can start preparing your home for the holidays now.
Clean everywhere, even outside
Before you think about hanging any decorations up, you need to give your home a thorough clean from top to bottom, inside and outside. If you start with the big tasks first, it will be much easier. Things like a deep clean, or cleaning out your gutters are chores you want to tackle first. By doing this in advance, it means you will be able to spend more time with your family nearer the time. You’ll only need to maintain a clean home and that won’t be as time-consuming.
Declutter your drawers and cupboards
This is one of those tasks that if you tackle it now, your future self will be happy and grateful that you did. When you’re putting your holiday decorations up, the last thing you want is to get sidetracked by the mess in a drawer when you were simply looking for spare batteries. Clear out any junk or unwanted items from your cupboards and drawers. It can be a mundane chore but think of the satisfying feeling you will have once it’s done and out of the way!
Update your furniture
You might have been meaning to get a new piece of furniture for your home but have been putting it off for a while, now is the time to do it. Whether it’s extra chairs so there’s plenty of seats for everyone to sit or a new dining table so the whole family doesn’t have to squeeze around it, update your furniture now. Places like Dining Rooms Outlet have some great affordable options.
Do an inventory
If you have guests over for the holiday season, you need to make sure you have got enough linen, towels, place settings and glasses, etc. Checking you have enough of these items now means that you won’t be rushing around last minute trying to pick extras when the stores will be busy in the build-up to the big day.
Give to charity
Sort through your children’s old toys or games and anything they don’t want or use anymore you can donate to charity. Chances are they will get plenty of new toys and games for Christmas so rather than trying to make space and feel like you can’t move for toys, this will prevent that from happening. You can also go through bookshelves and closets and see if there’s anything else that you can donate to charity.
Check your Christmas ornaments
Now you may be meticulous when it comes to taking your Christmas ornaments down, packing and storing them away safely. But there are times when ornaments can crack or break, so it’s best to check them to make sure they are in great condition. Or if you’d like some new ornaments this year, you can always make some new ones. This is something you can do with your kids in the weeks leading up to Christmas and it will keep them occupied for a couple of hours.
Make sure everywhere is winter-proof
It’s that time of year when the temperatures drop so you need to ensure that doors and windows seals are in good condition to stop draughts getting in. You can add throws to your couch to make them cozier and finish off the look with some seasonal decorative pillows. To make your home feel extra warm and snugly scented holiday candles are a must!!!!
These are just seven simple ways you can start preparing your home for the holidays. When the house is ready inside and outside and all the boring, mundane chores are out of the way, it means you can put your feet up, pour yourself a seasonal beverage and enjoy the holiday season with all those you love.
I received many messages asking for a Home Goods post. I have not been to home goods since early in the summer. I thought it was time to run over and check out some of the new items. I have to admit I was a little disappointed this time. There were so many Christmas items, mostly smaller trees. I did spot a few cute things but I think it is wayyy too early to start buying for Christmas right now!! Also, since this is the first time I will not be hosting a large Thanksgiving dinner, I passed over all the Thanksgiving decor. But, I did find some other really great pieces. I am hoping for more great arrivals in the next month or so. I will keep you updated for sure!!!
This velvet swivel chair was fab…I love the brushed gold base…
Agate coasters are the most beautiful gifts. They had a bunch of colors.
There was a pair of circle lamps.. I could see these in a bedroom or living room..sooo chic!!!
I love love this pair of lamps. The shades are soo cool!!!!!
This end table really caught my eye…
For all the blue and white lovers, how great are these canisters? They would make great gifts, or placed on a kitchen counter or with the tops taken off and used as vases for flower arrangements..
This amazing beverage holder would be so amazing in any Christmas decor. It was soo hard for me leave it there…what a gorgeous, unique piece…
I love this fancy garden stool..it would look so pretty sitting next to the Christmas tree holding colorful presents!!!
These nightstands are so gorgeous and on trend…
I saw someone with these pillows in their cart and was so happy that I found another pair. They are really incredible…
I cannot resist anything greek key. I love the champagne color too…These would look so good on a bar cart.
There were a few of these large faux fur pillows…all you need are 2 to spruce up any sofa!!
This is probably one of the most beautiful pieces I have ever seen at Home Goods. This celadon urn with foo dog finial would look amazing next to a fireplace or in an entryway!
An etched champagne bucket is a must and not easy to find…they also make fabulous gifts..
How sweet is this Superman popcorn popper…it would be perfect under the tree…
This pair of navy pillows were so great looking…very David Hicks!!!
Lastly, it IS that time of year and there were some amazing Halloween decorations…
You want to have a beautiful home inside and out, which means that you want to make your garden as beautiful as possible to complement the space inside the house. Some people do this with vegetable gardens and fruit trees, and others look at their back yard space and determine how they can landscape the square footage.
A beautiful garden doesn’t just make a home look attractive, it adds value. It can make you feel as if you have a tranquil space in which you can escape. If you find the right sod supplier, your garden is going to be as healthy as possible. Your backyard should be an extension of your home, and that means working to make it as beautiful as possible. Aesthetics matter and we have got four ways you can ensure that your garden looks the best it can be! Also now is the perfect time to start planning for next years spring/summer garden since so many things need to be planted/trimmed in the fall.
- Garden Layout. Do you want a lawn? Have you considered your borders and the flowers you want to add to the space? The layout that you choose for your garden is either going to make or break the way it looks, and aesthetics do matter! You want to add ornaments, right? Think about statues, fountains.
- Adding Color! While there is a beauty in gardens that are monochrome in color, there’s something even better about adding flowers. Some flowers approve the appearance of your garden while attracting butterflies and bees at the same time. You should consider the fact that you are going to have a wonderful amount of color added to the space, and you will have a garden filled with beauty! Pollinators will keep your garden looking healthy, and you will have everyone commenting on it!
- Add Pathways. Your garden beds aren’t the only things to comment on. The right lawn is beautiful, but a stone path is going to enhance the space and add beautiful lines throughout! You should consider one path to the front door and then consider a separate pathway alongside the borders so that you can water them properly. Pathways are going to make the front yard stand out and the whole neighborhood will notice it.
- Somewhere To Sit. Your back yard is going to be enhanced with a deck or patio, but you need somewhere for people to sit! Whether it’s a bench or a table and chairs, the right seating will set off the space and make it inviting. It doesn’t take much effort to get your garden seating installed, especially if you have portable garden furniture in your space. You can make your garden beautiful even without proper garden furniture, simply add some giant beanbags and picnic blankets to the lawn to offer your guests a place to sit! Of course, the best option is to invest in sturdy, long-lasting outdoor furniture that will stand the test of time and look great, but with so many options, the choice is down to you.
The garden has to be as gorgeous as the rest of the house if you want it to stand out properly. Think about how you want your outdoor space to function, and you’ll be able to relax and enjoy it!
Winter is right on the horizon but there’s still time to make those all important changes to the home to ensure that you and your family have the most comfortable time possible. It’s a little more pertinent this year too because a lot of people will be spending far more time at home than usual due to coronavirus. Changes to the home can completely range and each person might want to do something slightly different. After all, everyone is unique and will each hold a different meaning of a beautiful home. The tips below can help change your perspective and help you start thinking about some of the best ways to make your home better. Whether that’s one of the larger projects, or something small and snappy. Just be sure to apply advice to your own personal situation before acting on any of them, and make sure your budget is in the right place to do so.
Change Up The Living Room
The living room is one of the most important places in the home, likely for everyone in your family. It’s where you can relax, watch some TV, read a book, or do whatever you want to wind down like watching the Giants vs 49ers. It’s why the room becomes quite easily worn or tired or people just get bored of it so change it up to make a difference. You can start by doing something really simple like simply changing the layout of the room. Change the focal point. Move the TV from one area to another. Remember, you can put it on the wall if that makes things any easier. Changing the focal point will give the room a different feel and when combined with some of the other tips below could leave you feeling like you’re in a different home altogether. For some, a simple move like this is all it takes to have that winter change up needed.
A Fresh Coat Of Paint Goes A Long Way
Another fairly simple thing to do is giving the home that fresh coat of paint. It can really lend a different look to your home. You can go for a wintry colour to suit the mood, but you can also keep the colour the same and simply go for a refresh. Having the walls redone might be like a new colour all in itself, especially if it hasn’t been done for a long time. You can focus on a room or instead, attempt to do the whole house if you wanted one big change. This is fairly easy and can be done yourself for a relatively cheap price, depending on what paint you want to use. You can also paint the outside of your house, though you’ll probably need someone to do this for you. If this is the case, make sure you get a few quotes and use a quality paint that’s resilient to adverse weather conditions. Remember, the closer to winter you get the harder it will be to get people to carry out this work due to danger working in high spaces along with the weather putting people off.
Think About Energy Consumption
You might want to approach this from another angle. It might not just be the appearance you’re thinking about, but the money too. You can bring down the costs of your energy consumption by looking into things like insulation. Cavity wall insulation stops heat escaping and stops the cold penetrating the walls. Also, you do the same with loft insulation to stop the heat escaping upwards. You might also want to think about switching energy tariffs. If you can cut the price and use the money to have a better winter then surely it’s worth it. One of the best ways to ensure heat stays in the house, thus saving you energy, is by getting new windows. Think about triple glazing, or just a better quality double glazing. The new windows will not only keep you warmer, but the likelihood is that your home will look a bit nicer from outside too.
Safety Should Come First
Safety of the home is important and there are some things to think about in winter. If you’re not sure the home is safe during winter then it’s surely time for a change up. Think about carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure your carbon monoxide is working and installed right, give it the test and check your smoke alarms when you’re at it. You might even need to get your boiler serviced. Make sure it’s someone with the proper accreditations. If your boiler has never been serviced then it’s important to do it. It doesn’t just ensure that it’s safe but that it is running properly, meaning you’re getting the most for your money. A faulty boiler can be a nightmare. Remember, you should have a carbon monoxide alarm in every room where there is a fossil fuel boiling appliance. No excuse not to as they’re relatively cheap and last a fair few years.
Clear The Gutters
If you suffer from a lot of rainfall during winter you need to prepare for it accordingly. One of the ways you can do this is by looking into getting your gutters cleaned out to ensure the water is properly sluiced away. Check your drains too. If you have a lot of leaves you might find them blocked up. Check for puddles, if they pool in the wrong place they can cause you trouble. Clearing the gutters is fairly easy but people don’t like to do it because they may lack the right equipment, or not like to be so high up in the air. Always have someone holding the ladder underneath you to make sure that it doesn’t slip, even if you’re pretty sure that it is in a solid location. Also, it means you’ll have to dispose of the refuse yourself, and if there is a lot of it that can become quite troubling. Instead, consider hiring someone who knows what they’re doing and will be able to do it quickly.