Decorating – Page 3 – Jenna Burger Design LLC – Interior Design & Architectural Consulting

The Right Tools for the Girl on the Go

Written by Jenna on November 23, 2015. Posted in Decorating. 12 Comments on The Right Tools for the Girl on the Go

Without a doubt, I can say I am a girl on the go.

Owning + Running + Managing a small business takes a lot of time + effort and everyday brings on new challenges. At the same time though, I know I’m on the path that was set out for me and most moments of the day don’t even feel like ‘work’. While trying to manage my business + my family’s needs & obligations, everyday is different. I somewhat have a routine, but ‘my job’ is certainly not 9 to 5.

When I carve out the time to work, it’s often on the go. From my desk to the library to the local coffee shop, I sit + design where I feel most inspired at that moment. Some days are strictly at-my-desk, buckle-down days to pump out as many design plans as possible, while others days I hit the pavement at 9am and am out & about all day from job to job. On those days when I’m meeting with a client, I often throw all my stuff – Intel 2 in 1 laptop / tablet, camera, notebook, sketchpad, calendar, pens – in my work bag and hit the road running…

No matter what time of day (or night more often than not), my laptop is like my 4th child. It’s by my side, pulling at my leg to give it attention until it rests for a moment, then rises again in a few hours… Seriously though, my laptop is my everything pertaining to work. From creating design plans, to searching for client inspiration + printing vision boards, to blogging about my latest DIY creation, my laptop is open + on A LOT!

And how can it not be when it can easily switch from laptop to tablet in seconds?!

When I’m at my desk creating a floor layout + design plan for a client, I am often at a flat surface with a mouse in hand (yes I still use a mouse) working away…

But after hours of sitting straight – often by the afternoon – I like to enjoy an afternoon tea and put my feet up to scour the internet for inspiration. This is where the tablet comes in perfect…

Along with cutting out images from magazines (it may be old school, but it’ll never go out of style), I also hunt through favorite design sites & resources, and create collaborative pinterest boards with clients to gather my ideas.

For me, a laptop + tablet is most important for my job because it allows the flexibility to work anywhere at any time. I’ve had a desktop and I’ve had other tablets in the past, but I can’t lug a huge desktop with my to a job site and I don’t want to be weighed down with multiple devices.

The Intel 2 in 1 laptop and tablet make my life easy and as a girl on the go, I couldn’t be happier.

Along with my laptop, here are a few other essential tools that help me run my business…

Live Work Create Bag / Planner / Pen / Notebook / Clipboard / Intel 2 in 1

ON THE BOARDS

I have a slew of projects on the boards at the moment.

Along with my kitchen renovation (did you see the sneak peek picture I shared on Instagram?), I am working on an entire 3000 s.f. home remodel which will include a new kitchen, master bathroom, and all new interior furnishings.

I’m also in the midst of creating a design plan for a row house with a west elm style aesthetic. From the floors to the walls and everything in between, I will be selecting + styling it all.

For this project, I am meeting with the client tomorrow to present the design direction. I have a few more details to finish up, so I’m off to the coffee shop to jump on my laptop to get a few more hours of work in before the kiddos come home…

Running a small business isn’t easy. It takes time, energy, and money. But what is most important is passion and drive. If you love what you’re doing, like me, then most moments don’t feel like ‘work’.

As a girl on the go, I try to surround myself with others to handle the nitty-gritty and to power myself with equipment + the right tools to make my life easier and to allow my focus to be on letting my creative juices flow.

DISCLOSURE: THIS POST IS A PARTNERSHIP WITH INTEL TO SHARE MY THOUGHTS + HOW I USE THE INTEL 2 IN 1 LAPTOP FOR MY DESIGN BUSINESS. #spon

Nature Inspired Holiday Decor

Written by Jenna on November 16, 2015. Posted in Decorating. 1 Comment on Nature Inspired Holiday Decor

Good Morning Lovelies – Happy Monday!

I know, I know…

It’s only mid-November and I’m posting about Christmas, but believe me it’s for good reason.

A new article that I wrote is up on BHG.com and it’s about inspiring ideas for holiday decorating using nature.

As the holiday season approaches – Thanksgiving is less than 2 weeks away – it’s that time of year again when we transform our homes from the everyday and fill it with our festive favorites.

Whether you are ready to decorate now or plan on waiting a few weeks, be inspired by bringing the outdoors in this Christmas season…

Click to read the full article on >>> Nature Inspired Holiday Decor

Check out my bio page on Better Homes and Gardens

More content coming soon to be featured on BHG.com!

Budget Bathroom Renovation Reveal

Written by Jenna on November 5, 2015. Posted in Bathroom, Bathroom Makeover, Decorating. 4 Comments on Budget Bathroom Renovation Reveal

What a whirlwind of a week. Renovation of the kitchen is underway, which is keeping me busy, but I had a few moments over the past days to sit + reflect + appreciate all the kind comments that were left on the blog + + Instagram & Facebook about the plan of action for the new space. It’s going to quite a ride over the coming weeks. More on that soon!

In the meantime, I am excited to share a before & after bathroom renovation that I recently completed for a client / friend.

This bathroom remodel was a labor of love! With a tight budget in mind, smart solutions + affordable, yet stylish choices were a must. Some elements had to stay, but others – like the vintage clawfoot tub – were a MUST TO GO!

When my friend reached out to me about freshening up the bathroom space – which is the only bathroom on the 2nd floor of her 1920s home – the major need/want was a new tub. The overall look & feel of the space were also important and for that I created a Vision Board that suited their style & was an extension of the rest of their home.

Let’s take a step back to see what the ‘before’ space looked like…

BEFORE.

With budget in mind, all the plumbing fixtures needed to stay in the existing locations but be upgraded.

The toilet would be swapped out…

The pedestal sink (with absolutely NO surface space) would be changed out for a new 5′ long cabinet with storage!

The clawfoot tub, which looked beautiful but wasn’t functional at all for this family of 4, was the main focus for this bathroom renovation. The tub went from a clawfoot style to a built-in tub with custom tile surround – more on that in a bit.

Additionally, different decor was added to the walls, the laundry area got a fresh coat of paint, and a new mirror + light were installed.

Once the design was complete, the items were ordered + delivered, the contractor was able to get started. Of course, with all renovations there were a few hiccups along the way, but the renovated bathroom was soon complete and has been the highlight ever since!

AFTER.

Welcome to this new serene + sophisticated cottage-style bathroom…

What a change!

The pedestal was replaced with a 5′ long vanity that not only has more surface area for getting ready in the morning, but there is plenty of storage below – closed and open.

One tricky part of this bathroom was the existing baseboard heaters. With a 20″ distance between the heaters, the pedestal base fit just perfect. But a vanity wouldn’t. The challenged lied in finding a vanity that not only fit the aesthetic for the space, but also had legs that could be removed / notched in the back to fit around the heaters. Take a 2nd look at the picture above… Do you see the missing legs in the back?

Another challenge was the small space – again only about 24″ – between the 2 windows to fit a new mirror and light. The mirror width just fit.

Tile was added to the backsplash above the vanity, which was a beautiful addition that ties into the tile in the tub.

The toilet was an easy switch to a new style. Above, floating decorative shelves were installed to hold baskets and fun layers.

Making way around the new bathroom, the clients chose to hang their vintage horse hooks for the towels. This was in their previous bathroom and I love that they reused them in this new space.

Above are black and white pictures from their travels.

Ah, the new tub area! What a big change. No more clinging plastic shower curtains while in the tub.

For this area of the bathroom, we designed a wall to the right of the entry door which allowed the new tub to be tiled on 3 sides. The new wall was built thicker than a typical 4″ wall and a vertical niche was created for holding shampoos, soaps, etc.

The main tile in the tub area is a white 3 x 6 subway and a glass accent tile was added on the 3 walls as border + was used in the backs of the niches.

This accent tile is what was also used for the backsplash above the vanity.

As I shared above, this bathroom is really big, but it’s also the only bathroom on the 2nd floor. It not is filled with bathroom essentials, but also houses the laundry area.

The washer + dryer sit side-by-side and fit in a closet with shelving above. A large, luxe laundry would have been ideal in a dream world, but it wasn’t feasible, so we upgraded the space.

LAUNDRY BEFORE.

The walls of the laundry were painted a deep turquoise color & new sturdier shelving was hung. A clean space was created using beautiful baskets.

LAUNDRY AFTER.

[this laundry makeover was actually the inspiration for my laundry revamp]

Lastly, the one element that was an eye sore before, but took on a new life after the renovation was the floor. The ceramic tile on the floor was discussed a lot and at length. In the end, because of the size of the bathroom, the cost to remove + replace the floor with new material would have cost way too much. Plus the additional time without a working bathroom would have been just shy of a nightmare.

Once all the new fittings + fixtures were installed, the client had the grout professionally cleaned and with a new rug – a 4′ round jute – was added. Today, with the new cooler colors + all the other beauty in the space, your eye never steers to the floor.

And that’s a wrap, except for 2 pictures I couldn’t resist sharing… On the day of photoshooting this bathroom renovation, I brought my daughter with me. In true style, Bring Your Daughter to Work day!

Another blah to beautiful transformed space!

Looking for something similar in your home, check out the resource links below to get you started…

// 1 – Paint Palette:
// 2 – Light Fixture
// 3 – Floating Shelves
// 4 – Black & White framed pictures (by client)
// 5 – Valance (I made them – DIY tutorial for simply box valance)
// 6 – Oval Tilt Mirror
// 7 – Vanity Top
// 8 – Cabinet
// 9 – Bathroom Faucet
// 10 – Toilet
// 11 – Accessories
// 12 – Tub / Shower Fittings
// 13 – Shower Curtain
// 14 – 3 x 6 White Subway Tile
// 15 – Glass Accent Tile
// 16 – 4′ Round Jute Rug
// 17 – 5′ Tub
// 18 – Basket

RECAP.

A before & after comparison…

Thanks for checking out this budget bathroom reveal. It was such a great project to be a part of. I’ve worked on many client projects this year, which I will be sharing soon!

For now, I gotta get back to my kitchen reno…

Wonderful White Kitchens

Written by Jenna on October 29, 2015. Posted in Decorating, Kitchen. 1 Comment on Wonderful White Kitchens

On the gloomiest of days, a white kitchen will always put a smile on your face!

I am so excited to share that I am in the midst of designing a kitchen that I’ve always dreamt of AND it’s for me!

I’ve created beautiful kitchens for many clients & I am thrilled that I finally have the opportunity to put all the wants + needs of a gorgeous + uber-functional kitchen into my own home. I’ll be honest, I can walk in to a clients home and with a snap-of-a-finger see how to transform it. With my own kitchen, it hasn’t been so easy… my finger snapping failed me.

I, like many others, have always wished for white. And so of course, my new kitchen will have white cabinets (not all, but most). I was hesitant about white at first feeling that it might be too sterile or too ‘white’, but with layers + pops of color throughout, I know it’s the right choice for now + later.

If you’re dreamy about white like me, here are some kitchens to be inspired by that perfectly balance white with layers of color, texture, and style…

WHITE IN A COTTAGE STYLEFeatured at BHG

WHITE WITH POPS OF CITRINEPhoto by Eric Piasecki; Katie Ridder Rooms; Featured on HGTV

WHITE + A COLORFUL ISLANDDesigned by ME! Photographed by Laura Moss, Featured at BHG

[more details on the before & after of this kitchen can be found in this post – it’s a must see]

WHITE WITH WOODKitchen of Sarah Sherman Samuel

WHITE WITH A CONTRAST TILE + FLOORKitchen designed by Mary Jo Fiorella

WHITE WITH OPEN SHELVESKitchen featured at BHG

WHITE REFRESH WITH NAVYKitchen + Mood Board by Emily Henderson

INDUSTRIAL STYLE WHITEDesigned by Fixer Upper‘s Joanna Gaines; Featured in HGTV Magazine

A MIX OF WHITE + GRAY Kitchen by Melissa of The Inspired Room

WHITE BACKSPLASH WITH DARK GROUTKitchen by Taste Interior Design

SMALL BUT SOPHISTICATEDKitchen by Hunted Interior

GO BOLD WITH A BACKSPLASH Photography By: Kim Cornelison; Home of Kim Cornelison + Alfie Ferreyra ; Featured at HGTV

WHITE IN A TRADITIONAL SETTINGKitchen featured at BHG

WHITE WITH OPEN WOOD SHELVESKitchen by Our House

WHITE WITH POPS OF COLORKitchen designed by: Lauren Muse; Featured at HGTV

FLOOR TO CEILING WHITE IN A GALLEY LAYOUTKitchen design by: Design Development

WHITE WITH BOLD LAYERS [turquoise is a favorite]

Kitchen featured at BHG

ECLECTIC WHITEKitchen by White Buffalo Styling Co

Open Shelves. Wood. Pops of Color. White Tile. Contrasting Grout. Colored Island.

Many elements from these inspirational pictures have influenced the design decisions for my kitchen. I can’t wait to share the details + plan of action with you… Next Week hopefully!

What colored cabinets would be in your dream kitchen? Is it white?

DID YOU HEAR? WE’RE RENOVATING OUR KITCHEN

If you want to see all the posts documenting the kitchen renovation, here they are from start to finish:
Wonderful White Kitchen Inspiration
Kitchen Remodel: Before + Plan of Action
Demo Day: Steps for Demolishing the Kitchen
Kitchen Progress: Staining Hardwood Floors
The Cabinets Arrive + Get Installed
Natural Quartz Countertops in the Kitchen
10 Countertop Materials to Consider for the Kitchen
Subway Tile Installation + Choosing the RIGHT Subway
Kitchen Backsplash Tile Options + Inspiration
Choosing a Paint Color + Wallpaper for the Kitchen and Dining Room
Kitchen Renovation: The Appliances
Dissecting the Details
Kitchen Renovation: REVEAL + RESOURCES

Pegboard Baseball Cap Organizer

Written by Jenna on October 27, 2015. Posted in Decorating, Organization. 1 Comment on Pegboard Baseball Cap Organizer

99.98% of men + boys I know have an extensive collection of baseball caps. From teams they follow, to giveaways, to a gift shop purchase as a momento, baseball caps are a stable for most guys wardrobes.

So then the big question arises… Where do all those caps go? How does one organize the growing collection of baseball caps?

MY SOLUTION? A pegboard baseball cap organizer…

I made this a couple months ago and it’s been a life saver. Or should I say a hat saver, lol…

Honestly though, the collection of caps that my boy has acquired has gotten out of control and now they all finally have a happy home!

The best part of all, this organizer was easy to make.

MATERIALS

> (4) 1â€³ x 2â€³ x 4â€² long wood pieces – cut to size

> 2â€² x 4â€² piece of pegboard (I purchased a 4â€² x 4â€² piece @ Loweâ€™s and they cut it to my desired size)

> â€œLâ€ brackets

> Paint

Some pegboard already comes primed or white, but my local Loweâ€™s only had the brown, unfinished version. Similar to painting walls or furniture, itâ€™s important to use primer first. So first I gave the face of my pegboard a quick coat of Zinsser Primer.

Once it was primed, I painted the pegboard with 2 fresh coats of color with a roller – a taupe-y hue was created by mixing a few leftover colors together

For the frame, I layed the 2′ x 4′ pegboard on the wood strips allowing 1″ of exposed frame around, and marked them with a pencil.

Using a miter saw (my recommendation for a good one) I cut the wood pieces as needed. If you donâ€™t have a miter saw or tool to cut the wood, Lowes will cut it to your desired length.

Then I painted the wood pieces using more leftover paint. Since this pegboard was slated for my sons room, I coordinated the blue hue with the color I used for painting his closet door

/ Color: Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue

Once the wood pieces were painted + dried, I arranged them on the floor…

…and layed the pegboard on top. Then I aligned the 4 “L” brackets at the corners and fastened them through the pegboard and wood frame surround.

This is a view of the front and back when all 4 corners were complete.

I installed 2 screws + anchors into the wall and hung the framed pegboard.

I quickly + excitedly added these curved hooks. I attempted to create a pattern to maximize the amount of hats that could hang, but it only kinda worked, so the hooks are hung part pattern / part random.

This 2′ x 4′ pegboard can hold a lot of hats. About 25 total. And it looks pretty!

This is the finished pegboard baseball cap organizer.

It fits perfectly behind my little guys door…

A similar pegboard organizer would be perfect for a slew of other things like jewelry, crafts, pantry items, kitchen essentials, etc.

The potential is endless… Let the ideas start to flow!

His room is such an awesome space! If you want to see the entire room, click on over for a full tour.

Since creating a similar pegboard project for my office, I’ve been hooked on this amazing element to organize with. To “house” all of my office supplies, I also made a frame, but used a different technique + I stenciled a pretty design on the front.

Take a look > an organized office using pegboard

I’m on to my next organizational project using pegboard. I can’t get enough!!

Mad About Modern Macrame

Written by Jenna on October 22, 2015. Posted in Decorating. 1 Comment on Mad About Modern Macrame

I am excited to share that as of just a few weeks ago I started as a freelance content creator for BHG.com through their new program called @Home with BHG. Increased work load, YES, but for good reason!

So what will I be doing? In simple terms, sharing + inspiring what I love… design and decorating. I will be creating and curating stories + slideshows pertaining to everything about the home including trends, styles, colors, seasonal decor, etc… The content will then be featured on BHG.com.

No worries though, I’ll still be sharing unique + fresh do-it-yourself tutorials and decorating inspiration here on JBD. Plus, of course, when I have a new article over on the Better Homes and Gardens website, I will surely let you know!

And that is the perfect segway into sharing with you that my first post on BHG.com is live and I would adore some love… wink, wink.

What’s goes around, comes around, and often bigger + better the 2nd (or 3rd) time! Macrame, textile creations using knots, is once again making a splash throughout home decor and fashion. Come over to check out stylish + in-trend (opposed to trendy) ways to incorporate beautiful Macrame creations into your home… it’s a far cry from your grandma’s knitted owl designs of the 70s!

Click to read the full article on Mad for Macrame >

More content coming soon to be featured on BHG.com!

How I Organize Kids Toys

Written by Jenna on October 20, 2015. Posted in Decorating, Organization. 2 Comments on How I Organize Kids Toys

If I could, in an ideal world, I’d have a dedicated room just for toys. Oh, and clean laundry. All tucked away behind a pretty closed door.

Can’t a girl dream?

Since I don’t live in fantasyland (or a huge house with endless rooms for that matter) + I want my kids to be where we are and be surrounded by what they love, I am constantly changing and updating how I store my kids toys.

I want my kids to play with their precious possessions as much as they want, but *I* just don’t want to see them ALL out, ALL of the time. With 3 kids in a range of ages (1, 6 and 9), toys could easily consume our home as each are interested in something different.

How do I avoid TOY TAKEOVER? I strive to continually improve on creative ways to store their stuff to keep everyone in our humble abode happy.

How I organize and store my kids toys…

BASKETS + BINS

Using baskets + bins for storage certainly isn’t new or innovative, but it really works. Having one or multiple baskets in most rooms of the home, helps make cleanup time quick & easy. In our home, I have baskets in many rooms so that as we move from space to space, there is something new to play with. This is specifically geared towards little ones who attention spans are small.

For the older kids who have a lot of a specific items (animals, superheros, legos, etc), I have labeled baskets + bins. As they’ve grown, their toys have gotten fewer and smaller in size so much of it is in their room instead of in the living room. But even moving their stuff to their space, I still have created spots for everything. If everything has a specific place, then it will make it easier to put away items + STAY ORGANIZED! The easier the better!

Pretty bins make a difference! Baskets or bins don’t need to match. Create a vignette of differing baskets in varying sizes + shapes. Toys will all of a sudden ‘disappear’ when surrounded by stylish decor.

UNIQUE TOY STORAGE IDEAS

Storage for toys + kids stuff doesn’t have to be a traditional toybox or a typical basket. Outside-of-the-box ideas for organizing + storing toys can be anything that will hold something.

One of my favorite items for kids storage are old chests. Of course, you have to be careful with little fingers, but chests are large (to hold A LOT) and great to look at. They can be a beautiful element for any interior and serve a dual purpose – toy storage + end table or coffee table.

I have several vintage chests around the house. Found from thrift stores and garage sales, they hold a multitude of kids favorites, like the collection of trains that all my kids still enjoy.

In our living room, the old world style chest sits under the modern, minimalist lucite coffee table. Not only does it serve the purpose of storage, the play of old and new makes for a sophisticated styled setting.

Open up this old chest and voila, it holds the kids entire train set (which they still enjoy playing with)…

When my daughter got to the age when she was introduced to Legos, the collection of Lego Friends began and has since exploded. She has quite A LOT and all the creations needed to be organized in some way. I chose to use and convert the ever-so-popular colorful toy bin, which wasn’t being used anymore, by adding flat shelves to create a ‘bookcase’.

Using a 1″ x 12″ cut to the specified width, new wood shelves fit in perfect to create a 4-tiered shelf. This upcycle idea was easy & inexpensive. Plus there was no need to buy something – score!

GO LOW. GO VERTICAL.

Maximize your storage capabilities by using every inch possible. Wall space is ideal for vertical storage to organize books, collections, etc.

My son is a ~~hoarder~~ collector so when decorating his room, I introduced more storage than he needed and since, he’s filled the extra space with more stuff. Pallet shelves hold books. Honeycomb shelves give space for displaying favorites. Leaning shelves hold collections.

The space under the bed is prime real estate for storage, especially in a kids room. For my son’s space, these rolling carts (a do-it-yourself project) hold baseball cards, small skateboards, etc.

Going low and going vertical helps to get things off the ground, thus creating more clear floor area. In closets, add shelving as high as possible for extra storage of blankets or non-everyday items. Add hooks in the entry for additional coat/bookbag storage. Hang additional shelving in the basement and/or garage for more space to put large bins.

COMMIT

Getting organized is one thing, but staying organized is truly a commitment. Rotate toys every month or few months to keep them interesting and fresh. Once youâ€™re organized, take the extra 10 minutes each day to tidy up and monthly to go through each room to purge any unused items or papers – both of these I personally do and IT HELPS!

Expect that there will be minor setbacks throughout the year, but remaining positive will help keep you motivated to stay organized. Conquering in small doses is best. It’s continuous work, but worth it to create a home you love and enjoy living in!

The simpler we live, the saner we are! Rid your lives of the clutter and unused things to achieve a more meaningful, organized home.

Burlap Candy Corn Pennant

Written by Jenna on October 14, 2015. Posted in Craft, Decorating.

One day I’m writing about upcoming trends for the coming year, the next day I’m sharing a cutesy Halloween craft. You truly never know what you’re going to read next or what I’ll be in the mood to inspire you with… always new + interesting!

Halloween is just a couple weeks away and upon being inspired by the fun festive decor in the Target Dollar Bin, I spruced up my Fall porch with a simple, inexpensive, and fun burlap pennant to look like candy corn… so yummy, don’t you just want to eat it?!

I really am not a crafty gal but I just couldn’t resist making this pennant. I could have spent the few dollars to buy it, but since I had all the materials on hand from past projects, I decided to DIY it!

MATERIALS

>1/4 yard burlap
>cardstock / heavy paper – I used a manila folder (for pennant template)
>craft paint in the colors of white, orange, and yellow
>sponge brush
>twine
>scissors
>toothpick + tape

Using cardstock or heavy paper (I used a manila folder), cut out a template for the pennant ‘flag’. Size is up to you. My template is about 5.5″ x 8″. In all, I created (8) pennants, then cut them out with sharp scissors, and ironed them flat.

Dividing each pennant in 3 sections, I used a sponge brush to paint on the orange in the middle section first, then followed it with the white and yellow paint at the top and bottom.

To create a straight line, I cut out a piece of cardstock (I used a manila folder again) and painted up to the line.

When they were complete & dry (the next day), I was ready to create the pennant.

They look so good, I could eat them… #yum

For this part of the project, I used the twine, scissors, tape, and a toothpick.

I lined up the end of the twine with the end of the toothpick and wrapped it tight with tape. Then starting at one end of the pennant ‘flag’ top, I poked through the burlap with the toothpick and pulled through the twine.

At the other end of the ‘flag’ top, I poked through the burlap again and pulled the twine through to the backside.

I continued this step for all the ‘flags’.

The spacing between each ‘flag’ is subjective but I chose about 3″ and left about 2′ of extra twine at each end to hang and adjust.

And this is the result.

It really was so easy to make and it dresses up the front porch so pretty!

Inside the house or out, this simple + inexpensive burlap candy corn pennant was so fun + fast to make – 20 minutes total!

Can you believe I got crafty?! Kinda Crazy, but it really was enjoyable to step back from the big projects + big decisions and just have fun. This crafty-business has me thinking…

HAPPY HALLOWEEN.

If you like this festive project, you might like this Halloween pillow I made a few years back which is also on my porch.

Choosing Art + Accessories to Compliment the Home

Written by Jenna on October 8, 2015. Posted in Decorating.

It’s pretty incredible + awesome what a fresh coat of paint can do. Whether on the wall or on a piece of furniture, a new hue can instantly change the look & style.

I love bright & bold colors, but I don’t enjoy color overload. In small doses it works. A vomit of too much color – not so much.

Where a vibrant hue is introduced it should equally be balanced with quieter, softer, more neutral colors. There needs to be the quiet with the crazy. Let the bold ‘speak’ and the quiet ‘enhance’, to create an interesting + engaging composition.

When I chose to revamp my latest furniture makeover, I chose a dynamic hue of ‘kelly green’ but knew that it would be surrounded & layered with neutrals. The cabinet is the statement piece and the layers are what makes it breathe.

Each element that surrounds the cabinet needed to be methodically chosen to magnify the cabinets beauty but allow the eye to rest. It’s the balance of fun & calm…

When it came time to choosing ART + ACCESSORIES, I felt it had to be subtle. Not understated, but quieter. Whatever was chosen had to compliment, not compete. As much as the cabinet is a statement, the artwork + layers of accessories needed to be strong but in a different way than the strong of the bright color green.

What to put on the walls with a bold color, like this green beauty, was tricky. A quiet wall color for the backdrop was a must and artwork that enhanced the intense green would pull the entire composition together.

It’s truly all about balancing the bold and the quiet.

Finally these beauties came into my life…

Thanks to the many creative talented artists at Minted, there is no shortage of options.

Bold & Bright.

Quiet & Neutral.

Everything at your finger tips. The only difficult part is making a decision.

With custom art being unattainable for many due to budget & resources, Minted makes it easy by connecting artists with those looking to fill their walls with beautiful, meaningful custom creations. A nice bonus is that many of the prints are limited edition art and only a certain number of prints are produced. To me that makes each piece of art more special and unique. You and 5000 don’t have the same artwork on the walls of your home…

And let’s not forget how wonderful it is to support these artists to build their business and gain exposure. I just love it!

The two prints above the cabinet are Tradewinds and Weathered. They have a cohesive thread, but were created by differing artists.

This new vignette is in my master bedroom, which has a serene, soft aesthetic. Another reason why the bold green works so well. The other colors in the space are shades of white and hints of plum, so the selection of this artwork was perfect.

The artist who created Tradewinds shared this thought,

“I find sometimes the simplest stroke, laden with just the right value of pigments can invoke a feeling, or memory, or inspiration. This color study invokes the imagination. The colors are inspired by the ripples of the ocean as the trade winds play, the reflective sparkle of the sun on the waters surface, and soft hints of pink coral and colorful fish swimming beneath!”

I couldn’t have put it any better.

About Weathered,

“This mixed media piece explores varying degrees of opaque and translucent color, amidst layers of overlapping brushstrokes that create a warm yet weathered texture. I was inspired by the the various and ever-changing textures and palettes around our small hobby farm, including a chicken coop made from aging weathered barnwood, rusted vintage metal license plates, and acres of trees and foliage.”

Such beautiful words.

All my artwork from Minted are such treasures because you can truly feel the artists love + devotion for their work shine through in each of their creations.

I’m thrilled with how this cabinet has evolved as my style has changed over the years. And I am equally happy with the elements that surround it to enhance it’s beauty!

DISCLOSURE: THIS IS A SPONSORED POST WITH MINTED. ALL WORDS + OPINIONS ARE 100% MY OWN.

Fall Front Porch… with COLOR

Written by Jenna on September 23, 2015. Posted in Decorating, Fall.

Welcome!

It’s officially Fall – HAPPY FALL Y’ALL!

This might look more like a Spring porch than an entry decorated for Fall, but you know me…

I love color. When color-opportunity knocks… I quickly answer.

I’ve been wanting to spruce up the front porch for a while with a few new elements, but of course didn’t want to spend a lot of $$$.

With my newly painted coral wicker chairs + a newly spray painted vibrant turquoise table, our front porch has taken on a new life + a whole new look.

Our front porch is certainly not a big space, but it’s cozy & Oh So Inviting; The perfect welcoming into our home.

The front door is the center point of this quaint outdoor space. It took me a while to choose a color for the door, but I went with my tried & true favorite apple green hue, Valspar Crushed Oregano.

When the time came to paint the new front door this past Spring, I knew I wanted to introduce the color of coral, but the door wasn’t the right place – it was quite the dilemma choosing a color. In the end green was the right choice and I have loved it ever since + this door which is 3/4 glass allows so much light to filter into our foyer.

I’m not a big proponent of seasonal decorating (I don’t have a huge amount of extra time + money for it), but I do enjoy adding a few touches by layering in elements amongst my everyday decor. Layers are key!

For this revamped front porch for Fall, the main elements were adorned with simple seasonal favorites.

I added mums to the vertical pallet hanging on the siding.

I tied cornstalks to the face of the pillars.

I adorned my door with a festive wreath.

And I layered in pumpkins & gourds in varying shapes and sizes.

All of which I got at Lowe’s – not only my go to for building items, but seasonal needs.

That is pretty much it for specific decor for the season. But even just those easy + simple touches layered in have a created a festive setting.

Many of the other elements for the porch were either in the same place as before or repurposed from someplace else in my house. I also rotate items in and out throughout the year or season to keep things fresh and interesting. When I find something I love, and especially if it’s affordable, I snag it. I may use it immediately or hold on to it until the time comes when I have the ideal ‘home’.

Lanterns are a favorite to fill with Fall favorites…

Some (keyword is, some) plants I started growing in the Spring are still going strong – surprising, I know. This beauty is great for shaded spots and it actually ‘died’ soon after I got it. I never got around to throwing it away after all the leaves curled up and fell off. But guess what, it came back to life and has been doing great ever since.

Adding in a few pumpkins at it’s base has instantly brought it from Summer to Fall.

I love the burst of color that the pumpkins + gourds have brought to the porch. They mix in beautifully with the turquoise lutchens bench & other elements like the orange birdhouse & yellow planted fern.

This side of the porch got a revamp with 2 new chairs & a table. The cedar chairs from before had lived long enough. I wanted to bring in a splash of color to which 2 new chairs, specifically wicker, were the perfect spot.

It’s amazing that these 2 chairs were falling apart & completely different colors. Even though they are differing styles, they are unified by the vibrant coral hue.

Using the HomeRight Finish Max hand sprayer to paint them made my life so much easier (TUTORIAL FOR > PAINTING WICKER)

I adore how the turquoise table with the rustic wood planks that I added looks great with the coral. This table is the same turquoise as the lutchens bench so it’s the perfect extension of color.

Our family are definitely front porch sitters (versus back deck loungers) and we spend a lot of time here. From watching the kids ride bikes to enjoying a cup of coffee + book, many hours are spent enjoying this front porch.

Along with spots for sitting, I also needed a place to rest our drinks or play a card game. Along with the turquoise table, I repurposed the round wire spool as a “coffee table” in front of the chairs.

That wood spool for winding large wire + cable was found on the side of the road years ago. I still love it. What I do for ‘treasures’ would amaze you. Or freak you out…

The wood spool “table” is about 24″ round so it’s the perfect size for a pretty vignette of lanterns + gourds.

An overall view.

SHOP MY SPACE.

Create a front porch like mine by shopping your home or purchasing similar items.

front door color -Valspar Crushed Oregano 6000-6C, semi-gloss finish
wreath – DIY tutorial
white garden stool – Lowe’s
turquoise lutyens bench
vertical pallet garden – DIY tutorial
bird pillow – Lowe’s
blue / turquoise ceramic pot -Lowe’s
two toned blue planter (on step) – Lowe’s
coral chairs – DIY tutorial
chevron rug – Five Below
tall yellow lantern – Homegoods
turquoise lanterns – Target
white lanterns – Lowe’s
pumpkins + gourds + cornstalks + mums – Lowe’s

Lastly, I have to show a before & after of where this front porch started years ago and how it looks now…

The stone base that we added this past Summer has really “dressed” up the foundation of the house so much. Tutorial for > Adding Stone Veneer to a House Foundation

Thanks for stopping by and taking the tour of my Fall front porch! I wish you could stay a while…

DISCLOSURE: THIS IS A SPONSORED POST WITH LOWE’S. ALL WORDS + OPINIONS ARE 100% MY OWN. AFFILIATE LINKS ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS POST.