Tag: Better Homes and Gardens

Brass in the Bathroom is BACK

Written by Jenna on February 9, 2016. Posted in Decorating.

Happy Tuesday my friends! I know it’s already the 2nd day into the week, but I hope you had a fun + fabulous weekend.

I’m working on a slew of client projects, but took a bit of time for myself this weekend to hunt down an old, salvaged door for a DIY project that I have in the works for my home. After church Sunday morning, I went to a favorite local “junk” shop which has the best old treasures and found just what I was searching for. Head over to my Instagram feed to check out this hidden treasure in Upstate NY!

In the meantime, I’ve been busy with a few new articles for Better Homes and Gardens. My latest is on BRASS IN THE BATHROOM…

Gone are the days of the late 80s, early 90s opulent bathrooms with the ~~cheap-looking~~ inexpensive gold (brass-plated to be exact) fixtures. Faucets with swan wings eerily come to mind. Who thought those looked good?

I didn’t think anyone would ever be accepting of brass again, but it’s back and has been given new life and a whole new look – even one I’d be accepting of.

From vintage to modern, brass in the bathroom can give a beautiful, warm, regal (but not in an ostentatious way) look that makes a bold statement.

BE INSPIRED.

Small, but over-the-top gorgeous. Kristin of The Hunted Interior hit it out of the ballpark with this bathroom. Modern brass fixtures compliment the class black + white floor and traditional vanity + toilet. The brass fixtures have an almost rose hue to them which gives this bathroom such a warm aesthetic.

Same fixtures, different space. Kristin of Bliss at Home paired modern brass with clean lines + minimalist marble. Another gorgeous black & white bathroom, this space evokes a cosmopolitan aesthetic!

Kate of Centsational Girl created this gorgeous bathroom and used brass in a minimalist way by pairing it with other complimentary finishes. The brass seen in the mirror and on the cabinet hardware don’t overwhelm the traditional space, yet enhance the other finishes and overall look.

The cabinet hardware is so chic with the simple ring pull and diamond backplate, while the bamboo-style mirror is a beautiful layer on the geometric green wallpaper.

This bathroom is so attractive because of the contrast and the play on modern-versus-traditional. To offset the more detailed brass mirror and hardware, Kate chose simple, minimal brass accessories which continues the eclectic feel.

What a space. Talk about contrast! From the ultra modern lines of the sink paired with the geometric floor versus the ornate traditional mirror, this bathroom by Jenny Komenda is so chic + sophisticated. Again, brass is used in an understated, non-dominating way, and is paired with other finishes to create a gorgeous space.

WANT MORE?

Check out more examples of brass in the bathroom in my recent post at BHG.com

Click to read the full article on >>> Brass in the Bathroom

Check out my bio page + all my articles on Better Homes and Gardens

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

9 Ideas for Organizing the Bathroom Vanity

Written by Jenna on January 28, 2016. Posted in Organization.

Well we totally missed last weeks snowstorm that I know a lot of you were affected by and are still digging out from. Kinda crazy that upstate New York has less snow that DC…

What haven’t missed – or rather, avoided – is the nasty sick bug going around. Once again, another January has hit us hard with sickness and it’s the kind that lingers and seems to never leave. Unfortunately it’s got us all down. The last few weeks have been rocky, but I’m trying to keeping chugging forward with thoughts of warmer weather + sunnier days ahead. It’s the only think you can do, right?!

Anyway, I am happy to share that I have a new post up at Better Homes and Gardens.

If you’ve been busy decluttering and organizing since the new year hit, then I have a post for you…
Getting a hold on THE MESSY VANITY. I’ve got one, do you? Then here are 9 Easy Ways to Make Over a Messy Vanity.

I took away so much while putting this post together and I hope you will too.

Click to read the full article on >>> 9 Easy Ways to Make Over a Messy Vanity

Check out my bio page + all my articles on Better Homes and Gardens

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

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!

Triple Feature in Kitchen + Bath Makeovers Magazine

Written by Jenna on August 14, 2014. Posted in Featured Publication. 2 Comments on Triple Feature in Kitchen + Bath Makeovers Magazine

Post updated 1/2015 with images from magazines…

It seems like a lifetime ago, but early last year (in 2013) a crew from Better Homes & Gardens came to my home to photograph a bunch of spaces. It was an incredible, eye-opening experience and one I will never forget. Truly a dream come true that I never even knew I had…

Long before one of my client’s kitchens were photographed for this past Spring’s KBMO cover and even longer before my kids & I were photographed at our Central Command Center, our kitchen and master bath (plus the family room) were photographed and are finally being featured in the fall/winter issue of kitchen + bath makeovers magazine, which is on newsstands now (or you can download it here – fyi, I get no kickback from the sales)

Both spaces were total DIY makeovers that the Mister and I tackled on our own from start to finish.

the kitchen before & after

DIY projects included in the kitchen makeover:
Kitchen Makeover {Reveal}
Kitchen Update {One Year Later}
painted cabinets
painted countertops
tile backsplash
decorative brackets

the master bathroom before & after

DIY projects included in the master bathroom makeover:
Master Bathroom Makeover {Reveal}
faux ‘stained’ (using paint) cabinet
shower curtain using a curtain
luxury vinyl groutable floor tile (similar project tutorial)
tile backsplash (similar project tutorial)

Over the past year, I’ve had quite a few local & national magazine features, but every. single. time. I am overwhelmed, exhilarated, and plain ole’ happy! And of course, I feel completely blessed.

What I love so much about the Kitchen + Bath Makeovers magazine is that the articles are of real spaces (kitchens or bathrooms) typically on a tight budget. The rooms are DIY updates (like my kitchen) or budget-conscious makeovers (like my clients kitchen). O, I forgot to mention, in the same issue as my kitchen and bathroom makeover, is a clients kitchen than I also transformed. Their kitchen was more involved than mine and a true renovation. The before and after is incredible (see more of my clients kitchen makeover in this post).

To give a glimpse of the features, here are a few snippets from within the magazine…

the kitchen…

That fabulous metal island from the shoot can be found here (<- affiliate link)

the master bathroom…

It’s kinda crazy to see spaces of my own home in print, especially since it’s never been so clean and perfect as the day it was photographed. Just keepin’ it real! It is nice to know that it could look like that again (but it probably won’t, lol).

and my clients kitchen…

To see more of the featured stories + many other amazing kitchens & bathrooms, you really should pick up a copy of KBMO (I spotted & snagged my copy at Lowe’s). There are so many great ideas & tips throughout the magazine. You will totally be inspired!

I wanted to mention that I had another project featured in the last Kitchen + Bath Makeovers issue (Summer 2014 issue). The feature was of our beautiful powder room, which was photographed last Summer.

The bathroom update was dramatic with a new deep blue hue + Amy Butler wallpaper on the main wall. I just love every bit of it! Even today when I pass by, I smile.

the powder room before & after

DIY projects included in the powder bath makeover:
Powder Room {Reveal}
removing the toilet and sink
how-to hang wallpaper
luxury vinyl groutable floor tile (similar project tutorial)

Thanks for sharing in my excitement. You always are huge supporters and I’m so blessed. I have another magazine feature coming out in a few weeks and it’s a room of mine on the cover {squeal}. I’ll be sure to keep you posted.

I Did It: Better Homes and Gardens Feature

Written by Jenna on December 16, 2013. Posted in Featured Publication. 25 Comments on I Did It: Better Homes and Gardens Feature

I’m over the moon to share some exciting news with you. First though, it can’t go without saying that I find it truly incredible how one’s life and journey evolves over time. For me, I have put so much time and effort into my passion for design and inspiration, and I have been incredibly blessed with unimaginable opportunities – opportunities that have exceeded hopes and dreams. By being open minded (somewhat) and following my destined path, I have been given, rewarded, and I am ever so grateful.

On to my exciting news… I don’t even know where to begin or how to start, so here I go… My kids and I are featured in the I Did It section of the Better Homes and Gardens January 2014 issue. This feature is beyond amazing. It’s the last page of the magazine, so it’s really just as important as the front page (if you’re a back to front reader like me, ha).

Here it is…

Crazy, right?!

How did this happen?

I’m still pinching myself.

About a year ago through a friend/client, I was lucky to meet the incredibly talented Donna Talley, Stylist and Producer for Meredith Corporation (publisher of BHG and many other magazines). We worked together on a few project submissions and photoshoots (more of which will be coming out in other BHG magazines in 2014), which then led to the submission of my central command center. After review, the BHG team loved it’s incredible function and ease for any family to implement. They thought it was perfect for their get organized-theme January issue.

From that point, a date for shooting took place, which was in mid-June, and the rest was history. O wait… I failed to mention one important detail. My kids were also asked to be in the feature with me. Yikes. That news alone made the pressure (pressure I put on to myself) for perfection that much more. Not only did I have to look good, but I had to worry about how my kids would look (not too big of a deal) and how they would act (sometimes a challenge).

And the biggest challenge of all… WHAT TO WEAR!

In the end, nothing went as planned, yet ALL went incredibly well. And it was ALL incredibly fun!

So here’s a little insight into the day…

Initial ideas for clothes. In the end, totally different choices were made.

A central command center, of course, needs organization!

And there were many options. Working with Donna, options are everything. The motto Less is More, is not allowed.

It’s all in the details, so my nails were done…

And a few curlers helped my blah hair…

my sweet friends on IG left me some nice comments. xo

And then I was ready and in front of the camera.

Photos were taken. Outfits were changed. More photos were snapped. And then the result. On the back page of BHG magazine.

It surely was a wonderful and eye-opening day. The amazing Donna Talley vamped up my central command center like no other. It was perfect-i-o-n. And the talented, John Bessler, photographer extraordinaire, made my kids at ease and as always took beautiful, engaging photos.

Since being involved in about 10 other photoshoots with Donna, it still amazes me how much goes into the set up and lighting. Pictures in magazines look effortless, but there is so much that goes into making them camera-ready. For my little 30″ command center wall, look at how the room needed to be transformed.

To get the light ideally balanced takes an incredible amount of work. Something that I surely took away from the shoot and try to implement in my own blog photoshoots.

And lastly, a few pictures that I took of the central command center once the day was over and everyone was long gone.

These pictures are certainly not like the professional ones. But they are good enough for me 😉

And that’s a wrap. Phew, I am so glad I could finally share this exciting news with you. It’s been a long 7 months holding it in!

My take away from this whole experience… Amazing opportunities and experiences can happen to anyone. Simply do what you love. Put in the effort and your reward will come.

If you’d like to get your hands on the January issue, it’s on the newsstands now. Not only is my feature fun, but the entire issue is jam-packed with great organization tips.

If you want to see more of the central command center, visit the original post.

I will confess that the command center has been updated since the photoshoot and I’ll be sharing more of that in 2014!

This is BIG!

Written by Jenna on March 13, 2013. Posted in Happenings on the Homestead. 61 Comments on This is BIG!

I can not contain my excitement anymore and am bursting at the bubble to share 2 BIG announcements…

First, I’m psyched to tell you that Joss and Main has asked me back for a third run at hosting an exclusive Curator Collection. My first time hosting was last Summer and it was a blast, then in December I collaborated with 9 other past Curators for a Holiday Collection, and starting this Sunday (3/17) at 9pm will be my latest and best Collection to date.

The Collection that I put together for Joss and Main last Summer was based more on my personal style, Classic Eclectic design. For this new and upcoming Collection, it’s all about COLOR!

Upon finishing my home office / family room, I know this Collection had to reflect my passion and love for bright and vibrant hues. I still love a great neutral, but layering in color is a must in my book. If you love pops of color, then this new Collection I have created for you, will not disappoint.

I should take a step back for a moment. Have you heard of Joss and Main?

If not, no worries. Joss and Main is an online site that offers new events every day pertaining to different styles / themes which last for a limited time â€“ so you have to act fast; you snooze, you loose. Items include housewares, gifts, furniture, accessories and much more at prices discounted up to 70% off retail. Major SCORE! Joss & Main is a members-only site, but no worries because their membership is FREE and here is your exclusive invitation from me.

Here is a sneak peak at just a few of the many colorful pieces you will see…

My BIG EVENT goes live the evening of Sunday, March 17 (yes, St. Patty’s day) so mark your calendars! Are you as psyched as I?! Iâ€™m hoping youâ€™ll sign up now so youâ€™ll be ready to shop-till-ya-drop.

Want more?

A little more news to come your way, and honestly it’s a really big moment for me.

I’ve been reluctant to share this in case it’s all a dream, but I received the A-OK that it’s actually happening, so…

A few of my projects are going to be featured in Better, Homes, and Gardens magazine. SCREAMING.

Here are the details. I was given the contact information of one of the BHG scouts, who after contacting, I found out lives in my town. CRAZY, right?! I sent her a ton of pictures of my home, as well as a few client homes. In the end, my kitchen, master bathroom, and a clients kitchen were chosen to be in a future issue of the BHG Special Interest magazine called Kitchen and Bath Makeovers. Additionally, my home office / family room was selected to be in the BHG Special Interest magazine, Storage, which specializes in organization and storage solutions.

Can you believe it? Boy this year has been so amazing thus far. My FIRST for Women magazine feature this month, and now this. It’s surely a dream. Anyway, I just got the go-ahead that the crew will be arriving for styling and photographing the second week of April and it will take almost an entire week. WOW! My lil’ ole’ house in a big magazine. Now that the word is out there, I’ll obviously keep y’all updated as the date nears and more details come my way.

In the end, I owe it all to you, my amazing readers, who keep me chugging along each and every day. Thank you all!

Now, make sure to sign up for the Joss and Main sale. I wouldn’t want you to miss out…