Tag: saratoga springs

Bathroom Makeover: Plan of Action {Day 1}

Written by Jenna on October 29, 2014. Posted in Bathroom, DIY, Paint, Renovations, Tile, Wallpaper. 4 Comments on Bathroom Makeover: Plan of Action {Day 1}

I’m at it again… another project! And this is a biggie. I know, I know…. I haven’t even waited 0.05 seconds before starting something new, but this project has been in the works for over a year and I’m thrilled that my thoughts + ideas are actually coming to fruition! So the next big remodel… the hall/kids bathroom.

This bathroom got a mini DIY revamp about 3 years ago, but it’s been used & abused by two kiddos, so it was time to put my design expertise to work and create a space that would handle the everyday splashes & wear of two busy bees.

Of course, I can’t start the remodel without a plan of action. So here it is. My creative vision board for the new bathroom space…

I’m thrilled to be partnering with Lowe’s on this bathroom renovation and they’ve put me to the test to create a dynamic, on-trend space using their in-stock products (items that can be found in store versus online). My vision for this revamp is to mix my design style of classic eclectic – classic for the background with bold elements layered in! Since the tile is the dominate feature (shower + 3′ up all the walls) in this bathroom, that’s where I started…

My design philosophy when creating any space is to go classic for the elements that are expensive and/or difficult to change. Similar to buying a sofa (which I typically go neutral in color and pattern), I wanted a tile that could “live” a long time… I DO NOT plan on changing the tile in a year or two (or even 5), so it had to be something that I would like now & in the future. There is nothing more classic and beautiful than 3 x 6 subway tile. The bonus, it’s only .22 cents a tile – one of the least expensive Lowe’s has. But (there’s always a but), I wanted something more. I needed to create a wow-factor. So along with the classic subway tile, I am also going to incorporate a gorgeous herringbone carrara marble. Crossing my fingers that it looks as good on the wall as I envision it in my head {squeal}.

But you all know me, I need color somehow, someway. That’s where the layers in the space come in. I’ve selected a dynamic wallpaper that is really give an incredible contract against the classic white subway. It’s bold. It’s unexpected. It’s me.

The classic and the bold are covered! The other elements in this new proposed bathroom are all going to enhance the beautiful classic and bold selections. The old builder-grade vanity will be headed curbside and a new, more modern vanity in an espresso finish will be installed in it’s place. For the lighting, I wanted to introduce another unexpected element and chose an oversized single exterior industrial-style light fixture.

Here’s the catch… I’m doing 95% of this bathroom renovation on my own. I’m crazy, right?! Nutso, but I’m determined. The part that I will not be tackling is the install of the new tub and shower components. The mister nor I have ever installed a tub or shower fittings and are too nervous to tackle it on our own and want to avoid any possible leaks. We know when to call in the pros and the tub install is not within our skill-set. I am sure we could do it, but who wants to take the chance? Not Us! Beyond that though, it’s all on me. Tile, toilet, vanity, lighting… All DIY baby!

Since this bathroom makeover is almost an entirely DIY job, it’s going to take longer than typical, so our goal is to tackle it in 30 days. 30 days start to finish, complete! Can we do it? Let’s see. I hope you’ll follow along on another crazy DIY adventure…

{Day 1} Plan on Action – Complete! 29 more days to go…

From start to finish, these are all the posts pertaining to this bathroom remodel
Plan of Action
Demo: Removal + Installation of the Tub & Walls
How-To Tile + Grout the Bathroom Walls
Installing Wallpaper
Adding a Tile Accent Border
Creating a Tiled Niche
Bathroom Makeover Reveal
Resources

This post is sponsored by Lowe’s, but all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. I am thrilled (and a bit nervous) about tackling this project, but very excited to be partnering with Lowe’s on creating an entirely new bathroom space. Iâ€™d love for you to follow along on this new project!

An Outdoor Deck for Outdoor Living

Written by Jenna on May 29, 2014. Posted in DIY, Outdoor. 2 Comments on An Outdoor Deck for Outdoor Living

If there were no mosquitos and if there were a teeny-tiny bathroom, my outdoor deck would be just the spot for me to live for the next 3 months. O, and maybe a small spot for me to cook – but wait, that’s covered… we have a grill!

Our newly revamped deck is filled with many comfy spots to sit, relax, eat, and simply soak up the sun over the coming Summer months. It’s a vibrant and welcoming oasis for outdoor living. But like I said, I’m not a huge fan of mosquitos – who is – so unfortunately I will have to come indoors, but not for long.

Let me show you around. Will you join me on the deck…

Along with the Patio Paradise I am in the midst of finishing up, this is another outdoor space that we’ve revamped for the coming Summer months. Since we’ll be spending lots of time at home this Summer with the new baby, it was important for us to create multiple outdoor spaces that we will really enjoy & use. And hopefully in the meantime, we’ll get a handle on the mosquitos…

As you step outside the dining room slider, I welcome you to our new outdoor dining space. I am in love with the metal table + chairs we just got from Lowe’s. We used to have a rectangular table on the deck, but it really was too large for the space. This new round table is just the right size and we’ve already sat out here many of times for a quiet, delightful lunch and our daily family dinners.

With our deck being newly stained last year, the lighter-colored rug which I got from Home Decorators a few years ago is a great contrast.

If you’re interested, the Ikat patterned umbrella is from last years Target collection (I haven’t seen anything similar this year, which is a bummer) and the seat cushions + pillows are a recent purchase from Kirklands. A few weeks ago they had some great deals so I got all 6 pieces for around $100.

I love surrounding the deck and our other outdoor spaces with plants and flowers that are easy to maintain. I really try to find things that are low-maintenance and don’t need a lot of sun because as you can see from the photos, we are surrounded by lots of trees. This fern beauty is new and it’s doing well so far…

One part of this deck that I love is that it’s two levels, so it kind of creates two distinct sections, yet they still read as one. The ‘dining’ section is what you step out to from the house and then you step down to the ‘living’ section. This is the first year it’s set up like this – we used to have it reversed as you may have noticed the change from last year.

The ‘living’ space is where we have the pallet sofa and other spots for sitting + relaxing. We still ADORE our outdoor sofa because it’s oversized and O, SO Comfortable!

Because of the sun that shines for some parts of the day, we have another umbrella that is slightly smaller that gives the coverage needed. It’s a bright orange hue and is a great compliment to the other bold + vibrant colors used on the deck. It’s a Pier One find that I scored 2 years ago during a very hot, scorching week. I’ll just say, I wasn’t the only one in the store looking for outdoor umbrellas, but I got to it first and snagged the last one {pat on the back for me}…

How can I go any further without talking about the focal point of the deck… The adorable pennant banner. The fabulous + talented Kelly of The Modern June sent them to me and I am forever gracious. I met her last year at the Country Living fair and sadly, the last pennant was purchased right under my nose (by who of all people, one of my besties). Even though I missed out, in the end I am blessed to have these beauties swaying in the wind. And you know what the best part of these cute oilcloth banners / buntings are??? they have chalkboard fabric on the other side. How much better does it get?!

The burning question you may be thinking… Where is that round table from? O, that lil’ ole’ thing… That’s a roadside find. It’s actually a wire spoil for electrical lines. You never know what you’ll find when you’re driving along with 2 kids + a trunk load of groceries. Ya, that was an interesting day.

What makes this deck oasis complete? The layers. Accessories like plants, flowers, lanterns, urns, stools, blankets, candles, etc make any space warm + inviting. Layers are the key to giving dimension to every space – inside the home or out!

Opposite of the pallet sofa is another seating vignette. Not every day is hot, so for those cooler nights a warm blanket is a must. Of course, it doesn’t stay outside overnight, but it’s brought outside often.

If you’re wondering, the pillows are a new addition. I found them while shopping for the new patio and they are all from Lowe’s. The pouf is from last year’s Target summer collection and the yellow garden stool is a Homegoods find.

As much as I would have liked to show you around in person, I hope you enjoyed the tour of our new outdoor deck oasis. If you’re looking for us, you know where we’ll be…

Happy Spring & Summer!

Decorating with Leaning + Ladder Shelves

Written by Jenna on March 24, 2014. Posted in Decorating, Shelving. 1 Comment on Decorating with Leaning + Ladder Shelves

Within the past two months, I’ve purchased 4 leaning shelves (a.k.a. ladder shelves).

Obsessed? No.

Great for storage? Affordable? Open + Airy? Yes.

For the same reason, I’ve been loving leaning shelves as of late, I’ve got my clients hooked too and I’d like to share with you why leaning shelves work so well for any room in the home.

Any style shelf gives height to the room. Most pieces of furniture (tables, sofa, chair, bed, etc) aren’t higher than 30/36″ off the floor, which often leaves pictures / artwork to be the only source of height in a room. As much as it’s important to have “things” on the wall, it’s also important to break up the monotony and a bookcase / shelves can be that element. Don’t get me wrong, I love the look of a closed bookcase, but I also really prefer the style of a leaning shelf.

Why?

> Height: Art + pictures are a must on the walls, but without anything else to grab the eye and break up the plane, a space can become boring and lack depth. By adding shelving, specifically leaning shelves, a wall can have the needed to break and 3-dimensional look needed to add visual interest. With the addition of books, accessories, baskets, and more, the shelves can become the star of a room.

> Storage: The aesthetic part of shelves is that it brings height + interest to a room, but the storage element of shelving brings in the functional aspect. Who doesn’t desire more storage in their house? I certainly do {raising hand in the air}… Adding in a tall element, like a shelf, allows you to use the vertical plane of the wall instead of the horizontal, floor area, of a room. Save on floor area, use height instead!

> Affordability: Leaning Shelves are very affordable, probably because there really isn’t much too them. The most recent style I chose, I purchased at Target for a few dollars over $100. I’ve also been wanting to make my own version – I think it would be fairly easy – but I’m still gathering the guts + time to do it. Anyway, there are versions that are less than $100, like this one and styles that are a lot more (but are pretty fabulous) like this one at $1600. Add height to a room for around $100? Perfect!

> Open + Airy: I specifically like the look of leaning shelves because they provide the height and the storage needed in a room, but they aren’t closed in as a typical bookshelf with a back + sides are. The leaning shelf is minimal allowing for any size space (even small spaces like bathrooms & laundry rooms/nooks) to handle the horizontal attention-grabber. Plus I’ve seen leaning shelves in a variety of widths, as well.

I must be on the right design track with my recent purchases because I opened two design magazines this month and they both featured spaces with leaning bookshelves.

After reading the first feature in the March issue of HGTV magazine, it ‘s what inspired me to write this post. I know you all would love and feel confident to use leaning shelves after seeing these inspirational spaces!

1. A leaning shelf in the kitchen

Perfect for holding dishes, cookbooks, bowls, coffee supplies, and so much more.

2. A leaning shelf in the living room

Ideal for books, pictures, accessories, and I adore the idea of a adding a reading light. No more need for a side table.

See how this ladder shelf gives so much height to the space, yet there is no real break of wall color or ‘closed-in’ feeling.

3. A leaning shelf in the entry

Essential for all the winter-wares, shoes, and bags! The shelves allow space for the must-haves, along with some surface to display some pretty like a plant and cool fan.

4. A leaning shelf in the entry

Big or small, most bathrooms could use more storage. Am I right?? And if you have a pedestal-style sink, you really are in need of more surface space. A ladder shelf is the perfect solution for all your products + towels.

5. A leaning shelf in the laundry

Another spot that most everyone can use more space. Depending on the layout of the laundry room or nook, a leaning shelf can provide the extra storage needed to keep the space tidy + organized.

The above images of 5 ways to use a leaning shelf is from HGTV magazine

The other publication that I was flipping through and came across an interesting display of leaning shelves was Better Homes and Gardens April issue.

For these shelves, I am pretty sure they painted them the popping turquoise hue, but what a great space, right?! I love the color palette of the vivacious yellow, gray, and turquoise. If you can, get your hands on this issue – they’re are lots of great + affordable ideas for bathroom upgrades.

After seeing all these ideas, I am sure you want to get your hands on some new shelving. Am I right? I put together a collection of a few favorites with resource links.

Resources:
1. Cherry-finish Leaning Shelf
2. White Leaning Shelf
3. Iron frame / Wood Shelves Leaning Shelf
4: Black Leaning Shelf
5: Lucite (clear) Leaning Shelf
6: Gray Leaning Shelf with Bins
7: Leaning Shelves with Desk

Here’s a peak at the recent leaning shelves I purchased…

Recognize the room? It’s my boys room that I am currently giving an overhaul. work is still in progress…

I’m sharing this because it’s amazing how much these shelves have brought to the room! The amount of storage / surface space is incredible. From books, to ‘special things’ to ALL THE LEGOS, these shelves hold it all + have there is room for more.

My daughter’s room also got a leaning shelf.

We moved the pictures that were there into the master and added the shelf in it’s place to hold books, and of course ALL THE LEGOS!

Seen enough? No? Okay, I’ve got more inspiration for you…

Awesome coastal living room with a leaning white shelf/desk. via: Sabrina Alfin Interiors

Seriously, how great is this space with the leaning shelves used for wine storage? Doesn’t get much better than this! via: Cynthia Lynn Photography

Work space with white leaning shelves. Shelves by The Container Store

How amazing is this lucite leaning shelf? It’s incredibly expensive, but is a show-stopper! Leaning Shelf by Wisteria.

Such a bright + vibrant space. Ideal for a playroom or girly room. Leaning Shelves by The Container Store

Metal + Wood combo shelves by Pottery Barn

Such a bright, airy space with the perfect element to bring in some height… a leaning shelf! Unknown Source

What a great office space with a non-traditional leaning shelf and I adore the pops of turquoise + the amazing wallpaper. via: Matilda Rose Interiors

How fun is this? I love chalkboard walls and layering it with a leaning bookcase still allows for the wall to be seen through it. Same style as shown above in my favorite finds, this leaning shelf is by Land of Nod.

Leaning shelves with a desk make a great combination for storage + work. via: CM Glover

Leaning shelves come in all sizes. This narrow style in a colorful deep red hue is adorable in this nursery. Unknown Source

Leaning shelves are great for an office space! via: Asbury Remodeling & Construction

Shelf / Desk combo by The Container Store

A more modern style shelf/desk combo at Crate and Barrel

The shelves on this white ladder shelf are thicker which gives it more weight and style. How great for a kitchen or casual dining space.

Leaning shelves for everyone. Are you now ready to purchase one (or 2, or maybe 3) for your home?!

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!

The Start of the Next Room Remodel. The Foyer.

Written by Jenna on September 13, 2013. Posted in DIY. 7 Comments on The Start of the Next Room Remodel. The Foyer.

Now that the kids are back in school and home life is somewhat back on a regular routine, I’m psyched to start tackling my next big room remodel. This past Spring it was the powder room that got an overhaul, and now I’m ready for something else. The space coming up is adjacent to the powder room. Can you guess what it is??? Twist. Twist. Ok, I’ll tell you. It’s the foyer. It’s had many lives over the past 4 years, but it’s ready for another. And it all revolves around this…

This piece of gorgeousness (that I was reluctant to buy but many of you on instagram encouraged me to take the plunge) is the inspiration for my foyer and the starting element that everything will be designed around.

Want a better look?

There it is.

It’s dynamic. It’s unusual. It’s a showstopper. And it’s all mine to design around…

And look I couldn’t stop myself from already styling it…

One of the major needs in the foyer (because it duals as our mudroom) is storage. Out of convenience, the kids keep most of their everyday shoes in the foyer, so a new piece with storage was a major must! And this gold bombshell actually has more storage than the last cabinet.

Here is the space before…

And before that 2-1/2 years ago (prior to the stair makeover & the new flooring)…

What a difference, right? Also going is the tone-on-tone stencil. And in it’s place…

Stripes!

With a Major Cabinet, there needs to be Major Stripes.

But I’m going bolder. I wanted to do black and white (I love Emily Clark’s foyer), but I decided on a greige (a mix of gray & beige) with a dark charcoal brown. The black would have been too deep for our overall space.

The contrast is major, but I do wish the darker color was even darker. hmmm… {wheels are turning – did I choose the wrong color?} We shall see how it looks once the stripes go up. So many colors, so many decisions.

So the chosen colors are Benjamin Moore Gallery Buff and Benjamin Moore Coachman’s Cape. I actually had them color matched at Lowe’s and am using Valspar Ultra Paint + Primer.

And after doing some math this afternoon, I came up with two options for the width of the stripes – I think I’m leaning towards 5 dark stripes at 10-3/8″ high.

The entire foyer will get a fresh coat of the lighter color, while the stripes will only be on one wall behind the gold console. Because of the space, it’s most fitting. Aside from the paint, I want to freshen up the artwork and decor as well. On the main striped wall I envision 4 or 6 white square frames with large white matting.

Specific pictures or artwork TBD. There are a few more walls in the space and I’ve got some thinking to do for them. And of course the powder room is one of the spaces right off of the foyer.

The built-in coat rack that is behind the front door will remain because it’s our everything! The 30″ wall is so functional – I don’t know what I would do without. And I think the back of the front door is going to get a splash of color too.

Well I’ve got my work cut out for me, but that’s the plan. You know know where you’ll find me this weekend. What are your weekend plans?

Powder Room Remodel: Repairing Wall and Hanging Wallpaper

Written by Jenna on May 14, 2013. Posted in DIY, Wallpaper. 5 Comments on Powder Room Remodel: Repairing Wall and Hanging Wallpaper

Between baseball, a birthday party, and celebrating Mother’s Day (shout out to all the moms out there – hope you had a great day), there was very little time to actually get anything major accomplished on the DIY homefront this weekend. BUT, somehow with 5 minutes here and 10 minutes there, I was able to squeeze in a few trips to Lowe’s (for supplies) and a few moments to hang wallpaper. And thankfully with those spare moments, I actually got alot done and I feel like I’m making progress – even though it’s slow.

Since announcing the plans for the powder room and sharing details on the removal of the toilet and pedestal sink, the room has really taken a drastic turn – for the good. When I left you last, there was a huge hole in the wall from where the tile backsplash was removed and the wall colors were still orange and beige. Well not anymore.

Before I could even think about wallpapering, the hole had to be repaired. I’ll admit, I haven’t had the best of luck patching holes and achieving a flawless finish. It’s definitely an art. I’m good, but not great. (need a great tutorial on patching holes in the wall? check out Sawdust Girl). THANKFULLY, most of the hole will be covered with the new vanity, so I wasn’t super obsessed with making it perfect and smooth. To start, I grabbed a 2′ x 2′ piece of sheetrock from Lowe’s, cut it to fit tightly in the hole (a tight fit is key), and spackled the edges. This isn’t the best way of patching a hole, but it’s the lazy way I took – again because I know it’ll be covered with the vanity.

It took a few days for multiple thin layers of spackle and drying time before I could give the wall a good sanding. The hand sander gave a really nice smooth finished surface.

Once the walls were smooth and clean, I was able to paint and wallpaper the room.

I started out with painting the corners and edges at the window and door of the 3 non-wallpapered walls.

The color is Blue Mystery by Valspar and it’s almost an exact match to the background color of the wallpaper. Even though it’s blue, it has a deep purple / violet hue. It’s actually a very different blue than my office, but with the foyer in between the two spaces, you can’t notice the differing tones.

Once the walls were done, it was time to get down and dirty with wallpapering!

How-To Wallpaper using Paste

I had thought the wallpaper I chose was a pre-pasted wallpaper (wallpaper that has paste and is activated with water) but when I added water to the back of my sample piece, I quickly learned it wasn’t. So this was my first time wallpapering using paste. I was apprehensive at first, but it actually wasn’t at all as difficult as I thought it would be. I wrote a tutorial a long time ago on How-To Hang Prepasted Wallpaper, if you want to check that out.

Supplies:

Wallpaper of your choice. I chose Amy Butler Lacework in Midnight.
Wallpaper Paste
Smoothing Took
Sharp Razor or blade
Other handy tools for wallpapering are: a tape measure, a laser level, a pencil

1. To start, I found the center of the wall and made a mark. Then knowing the width of the roll (20.2″), I determined how far over the edge would need to start (1/2 of the overall which is 10.1″). I made another mark and used my laser level to make marks all the way up the wall (which will be the location for the edge of the wallpaper).

2. After determining where the wallpaper edge would be placed, I added the wallpaper paste to the center section of the wall using a brush.

* There are several techniques to hanging wallpaper, but I thought it would be best to follow the steps that came with my wallpaper roll. Another method that is readily used is to apply the paste to the wallpaper back, fold over both ends of the strip (being careful not to crease the paper) so that they meet in the middle. This gives the paste a chance to activate. Again, the instructions with my wallpaper said to apply the paste directly to the wall, which is what I did. If you want to see more on the other application, I found this helpful step by step method.

3. After the paste was applied, I took the end of the wallpaper roll (leaving about 3″ extra at the top) and adhered it to the wall aligning the edge with the mark I made on the wall. Then continued to roll it out down the wall.

4. As I was adhering the paper to the wall, I used the smoothing tool to eliminate the bumps, wrinkles, and air bubbles. It’s best to start at the top and move down the wall, as well as from the center of the paper and smooth out towards the edges. You want to press firmly, but not too hard so all the glue seeps out. Alittle glue seepage is okay and expected.

5. Once the first panel was hung, it was time to hang the second adjacent sheet. The same steps should be taken, but this time it’ll be key to align the seams so the design / pattern matches (especially with the paper I was using).

photo credit: my 7 year old!

6. Once the paper is up and in place, it’s time to trim – the ceiling, edges, and base. Using a sharp blade / razor, follow the crease / edge and gently cut the paper. It might be damp from the paste, so try not to pull the paper because it’ll rip. Scissors also help.

I also had to trim around the light fixture… that’s to come.

And the result is…

…a beautiful, bold focal wall!

The quality of this paper is amazing. Comparing it to the previous time when I wallpapered, this paper is alot heavier which hides many of the imperfections on the wall – score!

Not to shabby going from this… to this…

Plan of Action for #powderroomremodel:

~~Choose and buy sink~~
~~Choose and buy toilet~~
~~Choose and buy faucet~~
~~Remove sink~~
~~Remove toilet~~
~~Repair hole with new sheetrock~~
~~Repair floor @ sink and toilet~~
~~Hang wallpaper~~
~~Paint~~
Add crown moulding (yes, my 1st moulding ever)
~~Assemble sink~~
Install sink and faucet
Install toilet
Accessorize â€“ mirror, pictures, etc.

7 items crossed off the list since last time. Now that’s progress!

But there’s still more to come. Stay Tuned.

Have you ever hung wallpaper? What method did you use? Was it pre-paste or the kind where you had to add the paste?

Trash To Treasure: Upcycled Light To Vase

Written by Jenna on January 30, 2013. Posted in DIY. 4 Comments on Trash To Treasure: Upcycled Light To Vase

Sometimes the most unlikely objects can turn from trash to treasure.

As we’ve been changing the light fixtures throughout our home over the last 3 years (I’m pretty sure every. single. one. has now been updated), most went straight to the curb. A few weekends ago when the last old, brassy light came down in the upstairs hallway, it was half way to the trash, until I had a thought…

Could I upcycle it into something else? But what?? A cloak? Another light? A vase? Should I spray paint it or leave it brass? Lots of thoughts were brewing.

Of course, I forgot to take a pick of the light in it’s old home, but here’s what it looked like right after taken down from the ceiling.

Dust and all…

After giving it a good scrubbing, I decided to leave the brassy finish (I liked the warm hue) and use it as an accessory to hold a vase. A vase within a vase. Yes! Perfect!

I removed the base (which I was going to you as a candle stick, but it all fell apart), as well as the wires.

And then within minutes it went from ugly to this treasure…

O, you know how I love to spend $0 and shop my home!

I’m in love! Such a silly thing made into something spectacular. For now it sits on the coffee table, but I’ve got other ideas for my new found treasure. We’ll see where my thoughts and ideas take me…

What items have you upcycled in your home? How have you made treasure out of trash?

I link my projects to some of these parties: Skip to My Lou, Dittle Dattle, Between Naps on the Porch, Todayâ€™s Creative Blog, Stories of A to Z, All Things Heart & Home, House of Hepworths, Finding Fabulous, The Shabby Nest, Serenity Now, Tatertots and Jello, Thrifty Decor Chick, Tip Junkie

Basic Tips, Ideas, and Thoughts on Starting Your Own Blog

Written by Jenna on January 20, 2013. Posted in Uncategorized. 41 Comments on Basic Tips, Ideas, and Thoughts on Starting Your Own Blog

I hope you’re having a nice weekend! I usually take a break from work on the weekends, but I was eager to share this post with you about blogging.

Over the past few months, several friends and readers have reached out to me for advice on starting a blog. After sharing my story, along with a helpful list of ideas and tips to get going, I thought I could help more than just those few… thus the creation of this post…

Basic tips, ideas & my thoughts on starting your own blog. 10 helpful tips I wish someone told me when I started blogging 2+ years ago…

Even though I sometimes still look at myself like a newbie and think I have a ton to still learn about blogging, I realized that I also have a lot to share through my personal experiences – good and bad. The beginning days of when I started blogging were exciting and exhilarating, but also (at times) difficult and frustrating. I spent many endless hours and late nights, trying to find my way through coding, HTML, design, and much much more. Now I can look back and appreciate all the lessons that I learned. It feel it’s important to overcome struggles to get to the other side. The feeling will be that more gratifying in the end. It’s how we learn and can reflect on the path taken. That being said, I didn’t have a blog mentor when my blogging days began. It would have been great to have someone to point me in the right direction. So basically the rest of this post shares the ideas, tips, and thoughts I wish I had when first starting out. I hope as a somewhat seasoned Blogger, this helps you out on your possible blogging journey.

To start out, here are a few questions to ask yourself:

Have you ever thought of starting your own blog but didn’t know where to start?

Have you ever wondered how a blog can actually be a business?

Do you have something special and unique to share with others?

Do you wish you could have a job that doesn’t feel like work and that you truly love to do?

If you’ve ever had these thoughts, keep on reading…

I’m super thankful to have taken the leap to start a blog to influence and inspire so many people. When I decided to start my Interior Design business 2+ years ago, I thought a blog would be beneficial as an “add-on” to reach a larger audience. At the time, I had no expectations for it and thought the blog would simply be a means to share information about design. Boy, has that changed. And I have to be honest, at the time, I really didn’t know much about blogging, how influential they were/are, or how much of a resource blogs can be.

That being said, 2 years later, I love blogging. I love reaching a huge amount of people and inspiring them to think outside the box and to create a home that they may not have thought could be possible. I’m thankful that I have found a job, but feel like I never work. I love that I’m here for my kids each and every day, but at the same time am doing something for myself and providing for my family. It’s a win-win. With hard work, Blogging has become a source of income for my family and I take this job very seriously. At times its difficult to juggle it all, and my life is rarely balanced, but I’m okay with that (honestly, who’s life is??). I wouldn’t change it for anything and I hope you find the same path, whether it be blogging or another passion.

I think when you have something special or unique to offer, it’s important to share that with others, and blogging is a great avenue to do so!

So let my sharing of tips begin…

1. To start off the first and most important question to ask yourself is whether you envision your idea, a.k.a. a new blog, to be a hobby or a business. Many blogs start out as a hobby, but then eventually turn into a business that actually provides an income.

To help determine this, ask yourself these questions…

How much time do you have to devote to your new blog?

Would you want to write a few times a week or just on occasion?

Would you want to share your blog with others? Meaning more than just your family and friends?

Would you want to (over time) make money?

Looking within yourself at these questions, you’ll hopefully be able to determine how devoted you are. Let me say, hobby blogs are awesome and just fine too. It’s what you want to make it and how much time you devote.

My blog has definitely evolved, but for the last year and a half as I’ve transitioned to making blogging my job, I spend about 30+ hours a week focusing on DIYing, projects, photographing, writing, social media, PR, etc. Additionally, I spend about 10-20 hours on my Interior Design business, but that fluctuates depending on the amount of projects I have going on. I blog about 3-4 times a week and have an idea of what I’m going to post about. I don’t like it to be too ‘set in stone’, because I think it feels more real (for me) when I share projects and ideas as I go along. If you want to create a biz out of blogging, finding the right balance of posts per week will be important. Actual blogging only takes about 25% of my time, while the other remaining 75% is all the other stuff (ie: projects, social media, PR, emails, etc).

2. If you’re thinking of starting a blog, do it because you want to, not to make money. You can absolutely start out with the desire to make money (eventually), but it will take a while. You really need to write about what you love. You have to stand behind your ideas/thoughts and passions. Readers will be drawn to that and that is how your following will begin. Like with any new business, it takes a good two years to see any sort of return. For some it’s faster, but often it takes time.

via

I would say at around my two year mark was when I saw a turn. My following / pageviews started to really increase, companies started reaching out to me, and offers started to come my way. Again, that was after two years of really pounding the pavement. But again because I love what I do, I really don’t feel like I work, even though I probably spend more time “working” than a typical 40-hour a week job.

3. Once you’ve established your thoughts on how you envision your blog to be – whether a hobby or a business – it will help determine what blogging platform you use. Blogger.com and WordPress.com are great starter and FREE blogging services. If you’re starting out, these blogs are easy to use and you can be up and running in an afternoon. That being said, with these free blogging sites, you do not OWN your blog, the service you are using owns it. Since you don’t own it, that company (especially with Google) can take it down for no reason (it’s been done to many). Also with Blogger.com, there are limitations, but if it’s for a hobby, then it’s fine and this is a great platform.

Want to learn more, {here} is a great article that shares more pros and cons!

I use WordPress.org and have my site hosted on a server. I own my blog and run everything, but also pay money to do so. I’ve worked with a few designers to design the site to look professional. If you have big visions for a prolonged business and blogging venture, I would suggest starting on WordPress.org from the beginning. It will save you alot of time and alot of money to make the transition at a later date.

*FYI: this is all my opinion. There are many huge, successful blogs that use blogger.com and there are very small hobby blogs that use WordPress.org. There is no right and no wrong.

4. Decide on a name and be sure the URL is available. There are a zillion websites and blogs across the internet and I bet you, the name you love, will be taken. Maybe you’ll be in luck and it’ll be available. Once you’ve established the niche and type of blog you want to start, next up is deciding what to call it. If starting a blog on any platform, I would suggest buying the actual .com or .net name. You can do so through Go Daddy or Mad Dog Domains (there are many others as well).

5. Just like your home or the clothes you wear, the design of your blog will set the tone for what you’re writing about. A blog can simply be a white background with generic typography in the header space or it can be elaborate with different color, graphics, and text. When starting to put your blog together, look for inspiration through other blogs and websites. Whether you are designing it or working with a professional, gather ideas from others. Don’t copy, but be inspired and alter that to fit who you are.

6. If you want to grow your blog, I feel it’s important to have a social media presence. Without, how will people find you? My advice to start out is to set up a Facebook and Pinterest page. These 2 social media networks are the biggest traffic sources and will drive more followers (there are quite a few more, but these are what I feel are the current top 2). It’s the way to reach more people and to share your great posts with others.

SAS Interiors on Facebook

SAS Interiors on Pinterest

7. Once your blog is up and running, reach out to other Bloggers in your same niche. Establish or request to become apart of a support group. Visit and comment on blogs. See what others are writing about and how they are driving traffic to their site. Email other Bloggers to start a virtual conversation. If you want to take Blogging up a notch, find a “pack” of like Bloggers and start to build connections and friendships.

One more tip would be to attend a Blogging Conference. Not only will you be able to learn so much about Blogging, but I am sure you will make some lifelong friends!

8. Google Adsense. Day one, no one is going to advertise you. You have no traffic, so there really isn’t a value for them (YET). That being said, I would absolutely set up a Gmail Account (start a business account separate from your personal account) and sign up for Google Adsense. Even if you make 10 cents the first month, it’s something. The longer you have ads through Google on your site, the better the ads will eventually be. Believe me, DO THIS!

9. If you want to start a blog, pictures are important. Obviously for me, pictures are everything, but even for the text-rich niches, at least one picture is important. People are visual, so make them clear, turn off the flash on your camera (only use manual mode), and make them large on your blog posts (no small pictures!). Also add text to your picture(s). This will be important for Pinterest – head over and you’ll see what I mean. Almost 80% (that’s my guess, not a fact) of the pictures on Pinterest have text on them – it’s a driver to the original source. Using FREE programs like Picasa and Picmonkey make it easy for your to edit pictures and add text (these are the 2 programs I use 95% of the time).

10. This is the last but most important advice! Ready?? BE YOU! BE REAL! WRITE LIKE YOU SPEAK! My biggest obstacle when starting out was I wrote like a robot giving information, but not writing from the heart. Readers want to feel a connection with the writer. That’s why they return time and time again. I know some readers who only read certain blogs because they like the person. They may have never met the person, but they feel they know them through their words. And lastly, remember quality over quantity. Don’t force a post to simply get it out there. It’s not worth it. I post about 3 times a week, but write my posts that have value and truly share something that I know others will benefit or be inspired from.

via

As I mentioned earlier in the post, I have helped answer blogging questions for several friends recently, but one in particular is my good friend, Kathy, who just started a primal nutritional blog called Primal Bliss Nutrition. Like me, she has decided to start a nutritional consulting business along with her daily resource blog. Thankfully she took much of my advice – mostly what I shared above – and launched her site last week. As a fresh and new Blogger, here is what she has to say so far about the leap into the World of Blogging…

Learning to blog on WordPress.org is like learning a new language. I am amazed at how much there is to learn. I thoughtit would be much simpler, but it is actually very complex. There is a great deal to learn along the way. I had to learn (and I am still learning) many new functions that I was not familiar with before. However, I am enjoying learning these new skills. That being said, Jenna suggested I go full out with hosting my own site through WordPress.org versus using Blogger.com. There are several reasons for this, the most important to me being the choices for layouts and themes, and the flexibility and control I have over my work. Also transferring to WordPress.org at a later time can be a consuming and expensive process. I am happy I took her advice! As Jenna did for her blog, I worked with DreamUp Studios to design my blog. They were very affordable and very helpful, and I’m happy I worked with a professional designer instead of using a typical template.

Jenna has been a godsend. She taught me that WordPress.org is all coding. The pictures, words, fonts, everything is done based on a code or command entered. Although it is difficult to learn how to apply different codes, it gives you much more flexibility in how your blog appears. You have much more control over everything, and can really personalize your blog. I still have a great deal to learn but I feel like I am way ahead of where I would have been with the advice I was given!

I know there is alot more, but at least that’s a start. I wish you the best of luck in your blogging adventure! Blogging is very rewarding. At times it’s difficult, but I’m so happy to have a platform where I can share my passions and inspire.

DIY: Glass Jar Pen Holder using a Pipe Clamp

Written by Jenna on January 17, 2013. Posted in DIY. 10 Comments on DIY: Glass Jar Pen Holder using a Pipe Clamp

Are you ready for a super easy project (from start to finish it took 5 minutes) that can be used all throughout the house and cost pennies to create?

I knew you would be!

My revamped central command center has put our family on the right path to an organized year (I’m crossing my fingers it’ll stay that way). You’ve all loved it which I’m completely psyched about and today I’m back sharing the easy step-by-steo on how I created the new glass jar holders hanging on the wall. It’s super simple, so let’s get started!

The one big annoyance with the old CCC was the lack of pen and pencil storage. When in need of something to write with, we would always be hunting around the house and then the task or thought that needed to be remembered and written down was totally forgotten.

NOT ANYMORE!

To start out, I grabbed a few glass jars from the refrig that were either empty or almost near empty. I chose a jelly jar and a salsa jar, but really any glass jar will do! (Unfortunately the diameter of the salsa jar was too big, so I substituted it with another glass jar).

The trick to these babies hanging from the wall is a $1 (I actually think it cost even less $$$) hose pipe clamp (usually found in the plumbing section). I chose a 3″ diameter, but there are larger and smaller styles. The salsa jar could have worked if I chose a 4″+ size.

Once I had the jars cleaned out, they were ready to hang. After some thought (and a few fails), I thought the easiest way to hang the hose pipe clamps from the wall was with a picture hanger. This would allow for there to be only one hole in the wall (easy patch up job at a later date) and I could easily choose the right spot for install.

I wrapped the picture hook around the hose clamp and tightened it a bit so it was secure – super easy. No tools needed other than a hammer.

The result once hung…

And the result with actual pens…

Super easy and unbelievably functional! YES – huge score.

To keep the glass jars even more secure, I added a tacky dot at the spot where the jar meets the wall. Now it stays perfectly in place.

If you want to see more of my Family Central Command Center, click {here}

It’s amazing what can be created with very little money and at the same time be super useful! Now I’m on the hunt for other places around the house where I can stick a glass jar (or two) on the wall.

Do you collect or display mason jars? Ever use this technique of using a hose pipe clamp?

Revamped Family Chalkboard Central Command Center

Written by Jenna on January 7, 2013. Posted in DIY. 37 Comments on Revamped Family Chalkboard Central Command Center

This 30″ wide wall has had more makeovers than any other spot in my home. In the almost 3 years that we’ve lived here, I think it’s had at least 6 lives – thank goodness it’s not an entire room. But I have to say, this 30″ wall is the key to how we function – it’s our Central Command Center… a.k.a. CCC

I couldn’t let the year begin without making a few updates to this small, but important part of our home (the previous CCC can be found here). I actually had made a few changes about a month ago, but it just wasn’t right. After living with it for a while, I knew what it needed… A chalkboard. An entire wall of chalkboard.

The revamp started with removing everything from the CCC, patching up the old holes, and touching it up with some fresh paint. Once the wall was ready, I was off applying the chalkboard paint.

I’ll share more on the specifics of how I created the chalkboard backdrop in a separate blog post, but in the meantime, let’s take a tour of my NEW Family Central Command Center…

One of the major changes to the CCC is the calendar. The calendar that I had previously created was for only one month. SO many of you asked me, “I love the one month, but what do you do with plans you need to write down for the next month?”. I actually had the same dilemma and now it’s resolved. There are two calendars for two months. Problem solved. When the month we’re in is on the bottom, I put the next month’s dates on the top. It’s a little backwards having the month after above, but it works!

On the picture frame turned calendar, I still use a sharpie, dry-erase pen, or these handy-dandy pens by NameBubbles that are available with their write-on labels.

Did you notice the frames on the calendar & pictures above are now white instead of black? Once the chalkboard was painted on the wall, the black frames disappeared, so I spray painted the old ones. Using a white primer spray paint + a white glossy top coat, the frames are as good as new.

I still love my inspirational quotes and those are the same (in their new white frames).

Below the calendar are the new additions to the CCC. A month ago when the wall got an update, I made these 4 fun clipboards with scrapbook paper. In between them are our key (and misc stuff) boxes that I had purchased at TJs and spray painted them black.

The top clipboards hold our grocery list & our Peak at the Week schedule. Now I have no excuses to forget anything at the store – haha (wishful thinking)…

Looking to print these out – click {here} for the Peak at the Week chart created by iheartorganizing.com; Click {here} for the Grocery List created by The Time-Warp Wife (thanks to the awesome reader who found the link!)

And below are the kids charts – a chore / responsibility chart for my son and a reward chart where both kids get to add stickers when they’ve made good choices / decisions.

Perfectly at their level!

Looking to print these out – click {here} for the chore chart and click {here} for the reward chart

I chose this spot of the home because it’s in the ideal location, kinda close to the foyer and kinda close to the kitchen. It’s a small spot (a large wall or space isn’t really needed), yet is efficiently and thoughtfully put together for all our family needs.

One of the major needs that was missing in our previous CCCs was something to write with. Somehow we can NEVER find a pen or a pencil in our home (our kids must eat them – hehe). Being inspired by others who used mason jars for storage, I grabbed some hose clamps from Lowe’s and installed two pencil / pen holders next to the charts. I put them high enough, so little fingers hopefully won’t touch them. {A tutorial on how-to create jelly jar pen holders to come soon}.

Something that I haven’t shared, but created a long time ago is our family stool. It’s something so simple, but used everyday! From using it in the kitchen and closet or as an extra seat, our Ikea step stool is awesome. When I bought it, it had a natural wood finish, but with a little paint (the same color as the kitchen), I revamped it. Then using the same stencil that I created for my pallet box, I added our family initial: b.

Lastly, of course we had to chalk-up our new wall! That’s the point of chalkboard!!

I love how a chalkboard wall allows you to continually change it.

And that sums up the tour of our 30″ wide everything wall!

How does your family stay organized? Do you have a central “spot” in your home?