I don't know about you, but it's been less than a full week of summer vacation and my kids are already driving me crazy, looking for things to do. This afternoon they spent an hour on the back patio making paper mache pinatas. Now, lest you think I'm one of those with-it moms who encourages […]
The Button Jar
As a kid, I loved to visit my grandparents' home in the summers. We would pile in the car, drive 5 hours, and end up in another country. Well, I guess it was still Texas, but it felt like a different place entirely. Growing up in Dallas, I thought my grandparents lived on a farm […]
Custom Chandelier Candle Covers
How to change the candle covers on your chandelier, and give it a new look for almost free! Our home, when we first moved in (in 2005), was the picture of vintage 1971 style, and not in a cool, retro way. The sweet lady who lived here for the entire 34 years of the house's […]
Spring Leaf Palette
Spring has finally sprung, and I am celebrating with a new palette today! Green has always been one of my favorite colors, full of life and hope and sunshine. After putting this palette together, I realized it's almost exactly the color theme I chose when designing my blog. (Guess I really do like green!) Greens […]
No Decorating Budget - No Problem!
Do you sometimes find yourself looking around your space, wishing you had a few extra thousand dollars for new furniture, paint, lighting, and accessories? Hopefully someday that will happen for you (and me!) but in the meantime, what can you do? Well, plenty, actually. Just in time for the weekend, I give you... 5 Ways […]
Fun and Easy Fridge Magnet Project
I don't know about you, but I fight a constant battle over the contents of my fridge. Not the interior contents; I've pretty much given up that battle. I'm talking about the landslide of papers, photos, coupons, and reminders that litter the front of the fridge. I keep looking at cute message board crafts online […]
Why Mom is Brain-Dead
...Or Why 27/6 is the new 24/7 The other evening, my husband and I looked at each other across the dinner table with one of those looks that contains a whole conversation in a single eyebrow. Here's how the conversation went: Husband: Are they always like this? Me: Yes! Why do you think I'm so […]
Master Bedroom Makeover on a Budget
Call it laziness, call it procrastination, call it...being a busy mom. Our master bedroom that I set out to redo last fall is finally finished! I've been sharing projects from the remodel along the way, and today I am finally ready to show you the whole thing, along with how-to's, tips, and tricks for saving […]
Robin Eggs Palette
Last Saturday, my family and I spent the whole day cleaning up the yard. And by family I mean hubby and me, and occasionally the kids would pull a weed or two. They have short attention spans, and frankly I just wanted to get the job done, not spend time making it a "teaching moment." […]
Spiced Up Paint Caddy
Have you ever been browsing through a thrift shop and seen one of these spice racks? Or maybe you have one in your own kitchen? I was at a shop the other day and spied this one, bereft of its glass jars, looking a little lonely on the shelf. Indeed, the price tag only showed […]
Our Apache Camper Makeover is Finally Finished!
How we remodeled our vintage Apache camper, saving all the good, and updating all the bad. All for less than the cost of a single vacation! Last year at about this time in the spring, I started getting the itch to redo something bigger than just a piece of furniture or a room. I set […]
Anatomy of a Healthy Re-upholstery Project
As I laid out my tools to start my latest re-upholstery project, they reminded me of a surgeon's set of scalpels. I often think that re-upholstery is a bit like surgery. You take a piece of furniture that has a lot of life left in it, but it just isn't functioning properly. You open it […]
Why I Quit Spring Cleaning
...And How You Can Too! Spring Cleaning doesn't have to be overwhelming. And it doesn't need to be done in the Spring. Why not ditch the spring cleaning and get outside to enjoy the Spring? First of all, let me be honest and admit that title is a little misleading. I didn't really quit spring […]
Children, Naps, and the Three States of Matter
Did you know that when children fall asleep, they turn from a solid into a liquid? My first grader is learning the three states of matter, so I'm a temporary authority on the...er...matter. So to speak. Anyway, she's had strep throat and then developed an allergy to the antibiotic, so needless to say she hasn't […]
Beachy Palette
This is a palette that needs no introduction. I'm so ready for summer that I'm trying to conjure it up on my computer! Here are the Valspar colors, if you're trying to bring a little summer into your life too: Oxygen White Drumskin Fresh Bread Roasted Squash Let's all think some warm thoughts... Photo credit: visualpanic / Foter / CC […]
Watching the Garden Palette
By now, you may have noticed that I love color. All colors, the more the better. But sometimes neutrals and naturals are the best choice, especially when picking a wall color. Today's palette is for anyone who's trying to find a good neutral. These are a few of my favorite neutrals from Valspar, any of […]
Woven Painting
How to make your own woven painting, no art skills required! I might be a little biased, but I believe that every home should have at least some art and some books, not necessarily in that order. If you find your home lacking in the art department (or the "funds-to-buy-art" department) I've got a project […]
Holiday Confessions
We all know her. That mom who does it all, with style and patience, and perfectly groomed children. She is always helpful, always kind, and if you happen to drop by unannounced, has a freshly baked plate of cookies to share. On the side, she has a wonderful business doing something creative and inspiring, that […]
Making a List (And Checking it Twice)
How making a list can help you get through the holiday season with your sanity intact. I had a realization this morning, as I was making a list of things to do and two of the items on that list included making another list. The realization probably should have been, "I have a problem." But […]
Fun and Easy DIY Gifts
If you're like me, shopping for holiday gifts just isn't as much fun as making them. So here's a quick collection of fun and easy DIY gifts you can make while you're avoiding the mall. Today is Black Friday, and I am happily sitting here at my desk, not shopping. Don't get me wrong, I […]
Warm Whites Palette
It snowed this weekend, and my family and I set out to go sledding in the mountains. We had a great time, saw some beautiful white scenery, and almost got our car stuck on the side of the road. Through it all, I was reminded of how much I love the snow, but hate the […]
3 Mason Jars - 3 Ways
3 ways to turn ordinary mason jars into pretty and functional home decor. When I'm thrift shopping, I always stop by the glass section. I'm searching for two distinct things: pink depression glass, and cheap mason jars. You can buy mason jars in any size at the store or online, but they're usually super cheap […]
Pears Palette
Simple. Sweet. There is almost a whole rainbow in these pears. The (Valspar)colors are: Fireside Roasted Squash Citrus Tickle Limolicious I'm curious: if you've been following my palettes, do you prefer an orderly framed presentation like these pears, or more of a funky look with the paint chips dancing across the photo like last week's […]
Chandelier Love: an Easy DIY lighting Upgrade
This easy DIY lighting upgrade doesn't cost much or take much time, but it sure gives a whole new look to a thrifted chandelier! I love a good chandelier: hanging over a dining room table, maybe in a master bedroom, or even above a bath tub. When I started redecorating my bedroom, I knew I […]
Steps Palette
I fell in love with this photo when I saw it. It just drew me in with the swirling patterns, single focal point, and bright colors. So I highlighted a few of my favorite and made it my palette for the week. Hope you enjoy it too. The colors (all Valspar) are from left to […]
Lamp Shade Hack
A nifty little lamp shade hack for getting the wrong kind of lamp shade to fit on an Uno socket lamp base. Don't you hate it when you score a great thrifty find, only to realize that the amount of work you have to put into it to make it usable is more than a […]
Low Tide Palette
As the weather gets cooler, and we have more and more gray days, I've been thinking about moody blues. No, not the band. The colors. They are the essence of the cool side of the color wheel, calming yet dramatic. These are the kind of days that make you want to sit inside with a […]
Fall Leaves Palette
It's really starting to feel like fall, so I thought I'd celebrate with color! I decorate my own home with mostly cool colors and neutrals, but I love an infusion of warm color in the fall. It brings to mind pumpkin bread, a crackling fireplace, and hot chocolate. (Ever notice how many of my happy […]
Cherry Blossom Palette
I know it's fall and cherry blossoms aren't really in season, but I wanted to share this palette with you because I'm working on a similar one right now in a master bedroom. I really love the cool gray undertones, with the romantic red accents. It's perfect for a bedroom where you want a […]
Five Minute Fall Craft
Yesterday was the first day of Fall. That means apple cider, pumpkin pie, and let's not forget... Candy Corn! I mentioned to a friend that, in a moment of weakness, I bought a jumbo bag of Brach's Autumn Mix. (Yes, that's the kind with the pumpkins. They're like 4 corn pieces in one and the […]
Terracotta Warriors Palette
These are the Terracotta Warriors in Xian, China. I visited the sight when I was 9 years old, and even at that age, I was amazed by the huge scale of the site, and the detail that went into creating each soldier. They are all different, and they seem to go on for miles and […]
Off the Chain Palette
Valspar Paint Colors (Top to Bottom): Quarry Pond Sea Seeker Everglade Glen Roasted Pumpkin Thank you Sarah, for the color inspiration this week!
Paris Palette
I am so proud to announce that, thanks to my technologically savvy and artistically gifted friend Sarah, I can now start bringing you custom color palettes! This is one of the main reasons I originally started this blog, and now, almost a year later, it's finally happening. Today's palette, inspired by my parents' recent trip […]
Asian Chicken Slaw - Allergy Friendly!
OK, I know this is an art and design blog, but as a mom of two kids with allergies, I feel morally obligated to share new recipes when I find good ones. This is one I modified from an old favorite. A few years ago, a friend introduced to me "Soccer Salad" with Ramen noodles […]
Is it Wrong...?
Is it wrong that I love my children the most when they are asleep? I mean, sure I love them all the time, but they're just so much cuter when they're not talking back, or asking me for the thousandth snack of the day, or climbing all over me when I'm trying to do something […]
Apache Remodel, Part 1
The first stage of our Apache remodel, complete with resources for hard-to-find Apache Camper replacement parts. Our new/old 1976 Apache Mesa camper made her maiden voyage last weekend. We considered smashing a bottle of champagne on her stern, but were afraid it would shatter. (The camper, not the champagne bottle!) She did great and proved […]
Pink Lemonade Sherbet (Dairy & Egg Free)
There's no reason to miss out - you can enjoy pink lemonade sherbet, even if you have dairy or egg allergies! I realized this week that I have let my children down. I know, it's not the first or the last time, but this is the only time I care to admit openly. While I […]
Party Cart...y
How to turn an old rolling cart into a bar cart, otherwise known as a party cart...y. OK, bad puns aside, this has to be one of my favorite projects, mostly because I love taking old junky things from the brink of disuse and bringing them back to the life of the party. Old Rolling […]
My New Project - Vintage Apache Camper
How a vintage apache camper came to be such a big part of our family. When I cautiously informed my husband that I wanted my next project to be remodeling a vintage camper (there's a whole trend on this, called "Glamping"), I expected his answer to be not just "no," but, um, "really really no." […]
The Right Rug, or Decorating 101
How to pick the right rug for your space. It's a big decision, but you can make it easier on yourself to find the perfect area rug. I'm not known for doing things in the correct order. If there's something to be done, and a right way to do it, you can be sure that […]
Why I Hate (and Love) Math
I knew from an early age (when I realized I could blend my crayons together on the page to create colors that weren't in the box) that I wanted to be an artist. This knowledge brought me great relief as, with each passing year of school, I grew to hate math more and more. I […]
Herringbone Wood Look Tile Reveal
I love "After" pictures! I am finally writing to show you the results of our tile-project-from-hell. I thought herringbone wood look tile was just what our house needed, but little did I know how hard it would be for amateur DIYers to do! Before After All sorts of phrases come to mind when I think […]
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