Say Merry Christmas With A DIY Personalized Mug

First off, Merry Christmas!  I hope you all are enjoying some quality time with your families.  After all that has happened it's these little things, time spent with family and friends, that seem so important.  So cuddle up, stay up a little later and cherish every moment.

This quick and simple DIY gift is perfect for the coffee lover in your family or any last minute gift giving.

I know I'm not the first one to venture into sharpie drawing craziness (my neighbor made some adorable stick figure mugs for her Mom), but I thought I'd share this easy DIY gift idea, anyhoo.

Hang Your Stockings By The Fire...Or Not!

Christmas stockings conjure thoughts of joy and cheer as soon as you see them, making them a great and easy addition to holiday decor. Tradition touts, "Hang your stockings by the chimney with care." But luckily, those without a fireplace or mantel — or those wanting to break with tradition — have many options for hanging up their stockings this holiday season.  

From a branch.   Use a natural element, like a branch or a piece of driftwood, in your holiday decor by mounting it on your wall like Jaime from CraftyScrappyHappy has done here. Stockings can be hung using colorful ribbon.

On a ladder. Whether your style is modern or rustic, you can find a ladder for either and everything in between. Haven't been able to find the perfect ladder? Make your own, as Jenn has done here.

For the entire list of unique places to hang your stockings which features bloggers like the two amazing ladies above, plus even more suggestions in the comments section, check out my latest Houzz Ideabook.

10 Unusual Places for Christmas Stockings

Are you sans mantle?  Where do you hang your stockings?

Why Patience & Persistence Pay Off When Decorating on A Budget

Sometimes decorating on a budget is tough.  You either have a sparse space because you're saving up for the perfect furniture and decor or you've purchased temporary stuff that works...for now.  It's tempting to purchase inexpensive and sometimes low-quality items just so your room isn't bare - because nothing is more daunting than a bare room, but it tends to be a method I try to avoid.  Perhaps it's my picky personality, but once I set my sights on something no temporary replacement will ever do. Plus it just seems like a bit of a waste since you're just going to replace it down the road.  Don't get me wrong, I definitely do use temporary fixes from time to time but I try really hard not to. 

Our living room is no exception.  With only two east facing windows, our living room is the darkest room in the house.  It's a place where I spend LOTS of time writing, watching the ol' boob tube and getting my fill of house porn.  The switch for the overhead light is WAY across the room plus there's no convenient side table to place my coffee cup, so you can imagine the inconvenience that I have had to endure on a daily basis.  I've been on the hunt for a floor lamp and a small side table to remedy this bothersome situation for what seems like ages.  I was looking for styles similar to this, this, this, or this but you know....for a lot less money!  Those are each beautiful lighting options but YIKES!  I can't even imagine spending that much on a lamp.

Holiday Traditions and The Best Caramels EVER

With the holiday season fully upon us and the smell of evergreen and hot toddies in the air, it has me waxing nostalgic.  There are so many wonderful memories that remind me of this special time of year with my family.

Our little Christmas went a little something like this:

As soon as the last drumstick was eaten our Christmas traditions would begin, we'd all gather around and watch the greatest of all holiday movies - National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.  In the weeks leading up to Christmas we'd make my Nana's secret recipe (Betty Crocker) caramels, which we'd give out to friends and family in hopes that they'd follow in our 10 pound holiday gain.  We'd spend nights sledding down our black diamond hill and sharing hot buttered rum with Meme (our other grandma).  My mom would purchase 100s of holiday cards only to forget to send them and in true procrastinator spirit - we'd decorate the tree a week before.

And finally, Christmas Eve would arrive - we'd snuggle up and listen to Mom read "The Night Before Christmas" with holiday music in the background, play some cards and then around 6 pm we'd all run to one of our rooms (because on Christmas Eve we all slept together) so Christmas morning would come early.  We'd lay there too excited to sleep dreaming about all the surprises we'd find under the tree the next day - and usually, I'd try to get the secrets out of my younger siblings.  We'd wake up to my Dad's blueberry muffins baking in the oven and drag ourselves sleepily to the sofa and sit sheepishly waiting for our gifts because even on the greatest of holidays and in the comfort of our own home - we're all incredibly shy.

Shop 'Til You Drop

Well folks, I've finally done it.  Last Friday I opened up my Etsy shop!  I can't even begin to describe how nervous, excited - and just a wee bit terrified - I am.  But with 1 million other shops, I'm sure a few of you know what I'm talking about.

The shop is pretty sparse right now.  There's a few prints, a set of cork trivets and the Octopus Triptych.

I hope to have quite a few more items up in the near future, but for now I'm reveling in the fact that I FINALLY opened up shop.  I don't know how long I've thought about doing it, but just haven't taken the plunge.

So what about you guys?  Have shops of your own?  How do you get your items in front of the masses? 

Maximizing Storage By Utilizing The Space Above The Fridge

Our love for open shelving is overflowing.  In addition to the two shelves in our kitchen, which hold our white dinnerware and glass storage jars, we've added two more above the fridge.  Every extra bit of storage is needed with a couple of clutter-hounds like us and utilizing the space above the fridge was a no-brainer.

The top of the fridge typically looks like this - an eyesore if ever there was.  I removed everything and gave it a good cleaning which is something that tends to get overlooked.  Do you guys regularly wipe down the top of your fridge?

Kitchen Door Trim...Finally!

Back a few weeks ago, when we were replacing windows in the bathroom and mudroom, I finally tackled a project that we've been needing to finish.  While the boys were framing the new window openings, I stole the nail gun for a couple projects - putting trim on the open shelving and putting the trim back up in our doorways.

The trim has been off since we started our kitchen remodel.  I can't really say why it's taken us so long to put it back up, probably just laziness.  I mean swinging a hammer is really hard work.  With access to a nail gun I finally had the motivation to get 'er done.  Unfortunately I have few photos of the process, but it went a little something like this...

Pumpkin A'Plenty - 6 Ways to Put That Pumpkin Decor To Use

Now that we're fully into Christmas decorating season, what are you going to do with the leftover pumpkins that survived the fall?  Luckily, I have six ways to keep them from rotting on your front porch.

1.  Roast The Seeds

Who doesn't love baked pumpkin seeds?  Cut the pumpkin in half and separate the seeds from the membrane.  Rinse the seeds and allow them to dry on a paper towel.  Spray a baking sheet with oil, spread out seeds evenly, sprinkle with salt and bake for 10-20 minutes at 350 degrees.  Store seeds in an airtight container.  Regular ol' pumpkin seeds a little too boring?  Try these tasty takes on the classic - cinnamon & sugar, ginger-orange zest, spicy and cheesy.

{VIA}

Fa La La

It seems that as soon as I finished decorating for fall, Christmas peeked it's head around the corner and yelled, surprise!  Luckily my holiday decorating is the same from year to year so the process is pretty painless.

I pick up a cedar bough garland and lay it across the mantle.  The trimmings get made into a wreath for the front door.  I love the look of cedar - it's vibrant emerald green color and the natural texture that it adds.

I hang our crimson and white Pottery Barn velvet stockings that I got for a steal at an after season sale from my Eddie Bauer stocking hooks (another goodwill find.)

A Few of My Favorite Things: Five Under $30

With Christmas looming around the corner I'm in total gift buying mode.  I usually spend the year thinking of things to get people and am pretty much done buying gifts by the time December rolls around.  This year is a whole 'nother story and I'm feeling the pressure. Luckily, I have an arsenal of go-to favorites when I get in a bind.  Like, right now.

One, Two, Three, Four, Five

 So what about you guys?  Have any favorite gifts that you love to give?

Thankful

'Tis the season to be over-stressed, over-traveled, and over-tired but, most of all, over-thankful.  And boy, am I.  I feel very blessed to have great family, great friends and the opportunity to stay home with my little man and get to share my creative spirit with all of you.  Thank you all for stopping in time and again and supporting this lil' blog.

Cleaning the Fridge // DIY Kids Magnet Organization

Ever have a pet peeve that is pretty ridiculous? But then again, isn't that exactly what pet peeves are?  Something very inconsequential that no matter how much you tell yourself that it really isn't a big deal it still seems to drive you bat shit crazy.  I have quite a few - probably more than any person should have.

Our fridge has been covered with little alphabet and farm animal magnets ever since our little man could crawl.  And by covered, I mean COVERED - the front and side.  They fall off or are thrown on the floor during one of Luke's godzilla-esque rampages.  And.It.Drives.Me.Nuts.  Instead of just saying forget it and donating them to another household I've suffered through for the sake of my kid's entertainment.  Not anymore, folks.

Here Comes The Rain Again

This past summer sure was lovely, wasn't it?  Well, at least for those of us in the PacNW coast.  We had lots and lots of sunshine.  No joke, there were weeks upon weeks of it straight into the beginning of October.  For anyone that lives in a place with a rainy fall, winter and spring - it's like crack.  We can't get enough of it.

Unfortunately for some of my plants - they didn't quite feel the same way.  Remember those pretty azaleas I planted back in April?

In a Laguna Beach flashback, they're done-zo.  I guess you have to water your plants for them to make it through the summer.  Who knew?  Poor little guys.  So with the indian summer coming to a close - I put in some work getting the yard ready for the rain.  First, I ran around picking up all the toys and outdoor furniture and stored them in our shed.  Then, I pulled all the potted plants indoors.

Can You Smell That Smell - Homemade Room Spray

Febreeze, move on over - there's a new, healthier girl in town and folks, she's easy.  If you can shake it - you can make it. 

You'll need:

• 2 cups distilled warm water
• 2-3 drops essential oil
• 1 tsp baking soda
• Spray bottle

First take some distilled water - you can either purchase some at the store, make your own or try the lazy girl's version (like me!) and just use cooled boiled water - pour it into the spray bottle and mix in the rest of the ingredients.  I've used lavender essential oil, but you could use whatever fragrance your little heart (or nose) desires.  Give it a good ol' shake and freshen your room or furniture items with a little spritz.

That Dang Hemnes Dresser

As I mentioned back in this post our well-built black bedroom furniture got the boot for the white Ikea Hemnes furniture when we needed to lighten things up.  But my dear Hemnes dresser couldn't hold up to my collection of clothes. 

I kept fixing the dresser only to have it burst open in a "you can't fix me, you can't fix me" taunt.  Even putting a few more nails into it did nothing to help.  Finally fed up with simply putting the dresser back together, I decided to fix this dresser once and for all. 

Open Shelving Gets A Trim

Remember that open shelving we installed awhile back?  We made the 4-foot long shelves from the Ikea Valter brackets and simple 1x12 white wood boards.  I love our open shelving.  It's freed up cabinet space where we used to house our plates and bowls and cleared up counter space where our glass jarred food staples used to hang out.  But what I'm not too fond of are the thin boards and the unfinished edges of each shelf.

While the boys (the hubs, my dad and my brother) were hard at work on the mudroom and while we had all the tools out, I garnered some motivation (and possibly guilt over being the only one not doing anything) and decided to finally get these shelves up to par with a quick little fix.  I pulled out a couple 1x2s from our stash to update each shelf with mitered trim.  The 45 degree miter cuts were incredibly simple thanks to the use of a chop saw, but they could also be cut using a miter box and hand saw.  I cut three trim pieces for each shelf and left the back of each trim-free since they wouldn't be seen.

Why I Mostly Love and Sorta Loathe Ikea

Ikea, known for its Scandinavian design, is a budget designer's dream.  From traditional to modern they have something for every taste and for a cost that won't leave you on a saltine diet.  We've been known to hit the big blue box now and again and I always seem to find quite a few things that I absolutely love and I'm not just talking about those amazing cookies.  Then again, love ain't the only emotion we feel for our favorite little one-stop-home-shop - we're also pretty loathesome.  But let's start on a positive note, shall we?

Wall Storage Options - Above all, we love the organizational tools that Ikea has available, specifically their wall storage options.  We use the Grundtal magnetic knife rack, bygel rails, and ekby valter bracets to maximize storage in our small home.

Grundtal Magnetic Knife Rack - This handy wall organizer is found in the kitchen department and is typically used to hold knives.  We've used one for our knives and our spices.  BUT, there's a slew of other amazing ways it could be used.

Mudroom Update and Inspiration

Have I told you how much I love mudrooms?  They're a perfect place to drop your boots, toss your jacket and leave every trace of mud and rain behind.  As I'm more partial to finished mudrooms as opposed to unfinished - we're gearing up to work on ours this weekend.  When we bought our home the room wasn't too bad and we saw all the potential it had.  We thought it'd be a quick update with a new door and window, but this was one of those rooms that had an unwelcome surprise around every corner.

From the rotting foundation beam and subfloor to the scary electrical and plumbing work - this room has definitely been a headache. It's been in a state of limbo and disarray for the past 6 months after we put in the new door and replaced the subfloor.  Our mudroom has come a long way but it still has a long way to go.

DIY Halloween Costumes

What?  It's been over a week since Halloween?  Rather than get caught up in the details let's just take a look at our rad DIY Halloween costumes this year. 

The hubs and I stepped out on the town the Saturday before Halloween for some much needed grown up fun.  We threw these little numbers together last minute using things we had at home, plus some makeup and hair assistance from the neighbors. 

Say hello to Frankenstein and Frankenstein's Bride.

Not too shabby for pulling it out a couple hours before the party.  And guess what?  That's my wedding dress!  Frankenstein's bolts - those are painted marshmallows.  They did a pretty damn good job of sticking too.  My hair - that's the end result of some crazy teasing and a disgusting mixture of egg whites and elmer's glue.  I woke up the next morning still rocking the hair style.  It.Didn't.Move.  Luckily it came out pretty easily in the shower with the ol' smear on a bunch of conditioner, brush through, rinse and wash method.

In The Kitchen: Cranberry Season

It's cranberry season in Washington!  Our little neck of the woods is one of the top producing regions of the tart little berry and it's no surprise that we love them around these parts.  Whether we're making cranberry sauce, tossing some into baked goods or using them in our decor - everyone has their own way of showcasing these crimson berries.  And here are two of mine.

First up is one of my all-time favorites.  I'm not much of a breakfast eater, but a good cup of coffee and a pastry?  Now that'll get my engine purring in the morning.  These Cranberry Almond scones are quick and delicious.  'Nuff said.

Cranberry Almond Scones

Ingredients:

The Paint That Cured The Itch

Not THAT itch.  Thank god.  My itch is a little more mental.  There are so many pending projects around the house that it's feeling a bit overwhelming and with our budget cut it seems that nothing is going to get done.  This lack of progress has me in a bit of a funk and if you've noticed I haven't been up to much on this ol' blog (which is now one year old) and that's a bit scary.  If I'm dormant for too long - watch out!  I get that itch to get creative and who knows what'll happen.  This time around wasn't too drastic, but the final results did sway from my originally intended design scheme just a bit.

My plan was to paint all of the living spaces (i.e. the living room, hallway, stairway, landing, etc.) a light warm gray covering up the off-white that is painted everywhere including the trim and ceiling.  I swear they just moved through the whole house with a paint sprayer and no surface was safe!  (Sounds familiar, Pops?)  Yes, gray.  Just like everyone else.

I like gray.  No, I love gray.  If you're a Pinterest follower then I'm sure you're well aware of my love of gray.  It's a perfect neutral and is both modern and traditional.  It's perfect for our young little family and our little coastal cottage. BUT, my warm gray color would be a new purchase.  One that I don't really think I could rationalize to my hubby which means that I'd have to live with these hideous off-white walls for whoever knows how long.

Knockoff // DIY Anthropologie Zinc Letter

Remember when I picked up an Anthropologie zinc letter J from a local thrift store?  I hung it on Josh's side of the bed and kept my fingers crossed that I'd score a letter M for my side because I sure as heck wasn't going to pay $18 at Anthropologie.  Instead of just sitting around wishing and praying for a deal, I thought I'd take fate in my own hands and make an inexpensive and simple copycat version of the beautiful zinc letters.

I picked up an MDF letter ($4.99) and

The Return of The Notorious N.A.T.E.

It should be no surprise that I adore the handsome and talented designer, Nate Berkus.  He's so friendly, charismatic and an absolute delight to watch - not to mention he can style a beautifully layered room that looks collected overtime.  I've been following him since he was showing off amazing room transformations on Oprah.  I'm an owner of his first book Home Rules: Transform the Place You Live Into a Place You'll Love and was a loyal viewer of the not-so-great Nate Berkus Show.  That's loyalty, people.

{VIA}

So you can imagine how excited I am for the launch of The Nate Berkus Collection at Target on October 21st, which includes bedding, bath, accessories, lighting, rugs and window treatments.  His collection has been described as versatile and timeless. I love his design philosphy that encourages people to tell their story and is at a price that everyone can afford.  Spot on, Nate B!

DIY // Hanging Bathroom Storage Baskets

Our small bathroom lacks in the storage department.  We have a builder's grade vanity that houses lots of our essentials but more is always needed.  After stumbling upon some wall storage using ikea bygel rails and baskets I decided to make my own and mount them right outside the bathroom door.

The idea is a great one - my execution of it, not so much.  Not only is it messy and unorganized, but our little monster has a fascination with lotion and will do anything to get his little paws on it.  Having it out in plain sight is both an eyesore and a temptation our little two year old can't shake.

DIY // Date Night Jar & A Little Kismet

Four years ago today I was blissfully being pampered - getting ready to walk down the aisle.  I was nervous and excited and ready to party down as Mrs. Padgett!  It's amazing how fast the years go by, how much changes in such a short amount of time and how we haven't suffered a single itch.  I'm still feeling pretty lucky.

We used to celebrate our anniversary by returning to the place where we spent our honeymoon, Whistler B.C. - where we'd gorge ourselves on the best fried calamari we've ever eaten at Ric's Grill, get all wrinkly in the outdoor hot tub and sleep in late in the amazingly comfy beds at the Adara Hotel and drink far too much wine.  Keeping within our budget, we won't be taking refuge with the Canucks this year and will instead be taking a few days off much closer to home.  But just because our spending has been dialed back doesn't mean the sentiment had to be.  And nothing says I love you more than homemade gifts, right?

I've been meaning to make us one of those date night jars for SO LONG.  It's a popular idea on pinterest and one that would take little skill to make.

DIY // Update Your Kitchen Lighting on the Cheap

It's only taken 9 months, but we have finally replaced our ugly boob lights in the kitchen.  Can I get a woot woot!

I know some of you are thinking what's wrong with boobs?  EVERYTHING if you're talking about lighting. I consider these builder's grade flush-mounted lights the Achilles heel in room design. We have at least one in every room of our home. Our kitchen boasted three — one in the center of the room, one above the sink and one in the nook. We knew we needed to replace them and the center light and the one above the sink were the first to go.

We tackled the first light back in May.  We picked up the IKEA Alang light {$39.99} for its simple style its neutral color and its woven texture.  We were a little nervous going into it since we had never installed a light before, but luckily those helpful DIY'ers over at Young House Love posted a how-to a few days after we picked up our light.  {Thanks guys and perfect timing!}  It was a really simple update that I am so happy with.

So Bright You've Got to Wear Shades

I don't know what it is about choosing fabric but it absolutely terrifies me.  You guys with me on this?  The thought of making the wrong choice sends me straight into panic-attack mode.  I'm sure it has to do with my  decorators remorse where, as soon as I make that final choice and purchase/make whatever item, I see something that I think would have worked better.  It's like the iphone curse - as soon as you buy that new model - a newer & better version comes out.

I went on the hunt to find fabric for some roman shades for the windows in our kitchen and breakfast noo.  I wanted something bold and graphic - with no actual color scheme in mind although one seemed to emerge.

Amy Butler Daisy Chain Wildflowers in Turquoise

Taza Gray and Aqua

A Smaller Home Proves Size Does Matter

I had the pleasure of working for one of the most ground-breaking organizations in terms of green building back in the day.  There was never a moment that went by that I wasn't amazed by the people I worked with and the passion they had for a more sustainable built environment.  Because of that amazing influence, I've always been driven to the "tiny house movement" and the idea that great design is the key and you don't need a large home to live comfortably or happily.

In a time when the U.S. home size averages to roughly 2,000 square feet - which is 4 times the international average - I love seeing the development of these tiny homes which are sustainably built.  They are absolutely beautiful, well designed and are proof that the right design and efficient living makes all the difference.  We try to live under that philosophy - keeping our ownership of "stuff" to a minimum when we can and using our vertical space to take advantage of every inch of space our home has to offer - but for a couple of book lovers, sentimentalists and my fascination with furniture we aren't always successful.

These homes by Tumblweed Tiny House Company range in size from 65 square feet to 874 square feet.  The B-53 and the Whidbey are two of my favorites for the larger sized options.

B-53 - 3 bedroom home with 874 sq. ft.  Estimated cost to build:  $58,000

Happy Anniversary to Us!

Hey there!

In a week we'll be celebrating our 4th wedding anniversary which seems like only a blip on the map when you consider that this year both sets of our parents are celebrating 31 years together.  While it's not 31, it is every bit as significant especially these days when separating or getting divorced is the norm.  I am feeling very lucky and accomplished that we've held strong and looking forward to following in our parents' footsteps.

We've been by each other's side through ridiculous, joyful, sad and frustrating times and weathered some not-so-perfect storms.  We met as young, fun and slightly immature kids and evolved into older, slightly less fun and still pretty immature parents.  While we're not the same people we were when we met and are still learning who we are, there's absolutely no one I'd rather have by my side.

We have plenty of traditions.  For every year we're married I get another diamond set in my eternity band.  It's an inexpensive but monumental occasion when the tiny stone is set in my gold band.  It's also a constant reminder of where we've been and where we're headed. Josh usually gets a handmade item like the beer labels for his homebrew from our first anniversary, although this year I'm at a loss.

We're celebrating by spending a few nights of adult time at one of our favorite places, Edgefield.  It's a perfect combination of many of the things we love - beer, history, games and music.  We've had some good times there and I couldn't think of a better place to ring in 4 years of married life.

What do you guys do to celebrate?  Do you have a sentimental place you like to visit or an activity you like to do?  Have any suggestions for a good handmade gift to signify 4 years of marriage?  {I love these ideas compiled by TiptoeThrough.}

Until next time,

11 Fascinating Faceted DIY Projects

Hey there!

I'm on a faceted kick.  Maybe it's because school is back in session and my husband is up to his elbows in geometry lesson plans or maybe it's just the simple fact that I like the surprising use of texture and shape. Either way, I've got it bad.

What's faceted you ask?  Simply put, it means having many non-parallel surfaces.

I first stumbled upon this faceted pendant lamp and have been in the process of making my own but that process has been stretched out weeks upon weeks.  My choice between making a million little cootie catchers or just lazily sprawling out on the sofa to watch some garbage tv (my favorite kind) has been a bit one sided as of late.

1.  DIY Faceted Pendant Lamp by the 3 R's blog

Not only have I been gaga over this lamp, but I've been coveting some origami art in my husband's classroom.  It's been hard not to just slip a few of the best pieces into my bag when we're sharing lunch.  I suppose I could just make my own, but first I'm thinking about busting out all of these beautifully crafted projects.

How Do Monsters Tell Their Fortune?

Their Horrorscopes!

I try to hold off switching out my spring/summer decor to fall until the beginning of October.  I've always been in a state of denial in September - holding on to the last bits of summer like a couple of Nicholas Sparks lovebirds after they've reunited.  That includes all things from sandals and tanks to decor, but this new 9-5 job that I've been working has me itching to get creative.  So this weekend I decided to say adios to a season that is far too short in this area of the world and ring in the first day of fall with an homage to the scariest of holidays.

Our mantle got a whole lot scarier with some vintage finds like these apothecary bottles, medical prints, a window and some handmade items like the bats and the cutest little felt witch hat, plus a few other items that show up on the mantle rather frequently.  This vignette is much more Hogwarts than Hades, which is just the way I like it.

Houzz: Quick Fix: Repair Cracked Bathroom Grout

Hey there!

With any home purchase, there are plenty of positives and hopefully few negatives — and ours was no exception. Our home has great potential and good bones, but with those positives we also inherited many flaws, like banged-up walls, scratched laminate flooring and a dilapidated porch. Another unlucky feature was cracking grout in the corners of our shower where tile meets tile. Not only was this an eyesore, but if left unfixed, it could have caused water damage to the home's structure.

Other design by Media And Blogs Meg Padgett

Due to a house shifting and moving throughout its life span, cracking in inflexible materials is a given. In this case, grout had been used in the corners of our shower where each side of the shower meet, resulting in large cracks in the water barrier.

Vintage Sofa Reveal

I love myself a good ol' trash to treasure transformation and while I wouldn't necessarily consider the sofa trash before the update it was a jaw dropping transformation, nonetheless.  Our last "Ask Michelle" Q&A had us considering reupholstering our old hand me down furniture as opposed to dropping it off at the local thrift store.  Michelle shared her ideas for updating her own family heirloom and I'm stoked to be able to show you the results of her (and her team's) hard work!

Michelle's grandparent's sofa, an item overflowing with sentimental value and lacking any actual monetary value, had made its way through the family after her grandparents' passings and she was the next in line to take ownership.  The sofa was originally purchased in 1971 and had gotten an update with a striped fabric in the 80s. Rather than keeping it in its retro state and subjugated to the basement, Michelle knew that this sofa, with its clean lines and a few updates, could be a key piece of furniture in her own home.

It's The Little Things

We're finally getting back into real life from our camping trip to Takhlakh Lake and nothing got us there faster than the shock of the hubby's dismal fishing season.  There's nothing like a drastic cut in your income to snap you back to reality and have you re-evaluating your spending habits.  I don't know if it's a bleak sign that the fish population has been decimated or that the fish have wised up to our tricks, either way our family is feeling the pain.

We've buckled down and cut our spending.  No longer are we making impulse buys or buying things just because we want them.  Everything must be planned out and big things must be scrimped and saved for.  Our groceries require a bit more research and planning on our part (something I despise) and we've now dove into full on meal planning.  Plus, I've refrained from renewing any of my monthly magazine subscriptions.  Every little thing helps, right?

Houzz: Quick Fix How to Patch A Drywall Hole

Homes, even beautifully designed ones, receive their fair share of abuse over the years. Unsightly holes from repair projects gone wrong, rough and tumble children or those pesky doorknobs can detract from the lovely home you've created. While seemingly daunting, most small- to medium-size holes take little time to repair, and the fix can be done by the most novice handyman (or woman) — getting your home back to being the envy of the block.

BEFORE: This 2-inch divot from a wayward hammer stroke was in a visible location just beneath the mounting hardware of ourMoen Glenshire Pivoting Mirrorand in desperate need of being patched. To learn how you can repair holes in your drywall, just like we did, jump on over to my latest Houzz Ideabook.

Quick Fix: How to Patch a Drywall Hole

Houzz- Kitchen Remodel, Bathroom Remodel and More »

Other design by Other Metro Media And Blogs Meg Padgett

Hopefully, I can show a little more control with the hammer.  If not at least I know how to fix my mistakes.

Disclaimer:  As a Contributor I have been compensated for any Ideabooks featured on Houzz, although I am not compensated for sharing Houzz ideabooks on Revamp Homegoods.  All opinions expressed here or that of the writer and are in no way influenced by Houzz.

DIY // A Colorful Bedroom Makeover for Cheap

Phew!  It sure does feel good to be back.  While I've been incommunicado I've had plenty of time to get my home cleaned and organized. But it wasn't being unplugged or the impending return of my lovely fisherman, it was these orange bedside lamps that got my organization engine roaring.

I know I've mentioned this before but clutter is our number one foe at Casa de Padgett.  I've gotten the kitchen pretty much clutter free - aside from one section of counter that always seems to collect junk - by implementing some much needed wall storage and Luke's room is freshly painted and organized.  The living room is usually not too bad, but our bedroom...our bedroom usually looks like a tornado made its way through.

Houzz: Quick Fix Reupholster A Chair Seat

This bedroom got an entire overhaul.  Along with the lamps, the vintage reproduction art and the painted rug I also updated a midcentury modern chair.  It, along with three of its friends, was a recent thrift shop score; I purchased four chairs for $20. Yes, $20 total.  Their clean lines and sleek frame plus their solid wood construction made them a perfect addition to our home. One special chair, originally intended for our breakfast nook, is now, happily, stationed in our bedroom.

 

I love the interest the bold fabric creates.  This before photo certainly shows the amazing transformation.

DIY // How-To Paint a Rug

Hey there!

If you're a frequenter of Pinterest or any other site that touts billions of home DIY projects, I'm sure you've seen the "painted rug" project everywhere.  Bottom line:  rugs are expensive.  They're also incredibly eye catching and can turn a blah room into something spectacular.  So it's really no surprise why making a less expensive version is so popular.

I used a simple flatwoven white IKEA Erslev rug for $39.99 and created a bold white and black striped beauty.

DIY // Vintage Reproduction Postcard Wall Art

I've always been a fan of postcards.  With their beautiful landscape photography or the photo and hilarious quip combination plus a short and sweet message from the sender - nothing beats getting these in the mail.  Josh and I still write each other and I'm sure to send a postcard or two during our summer absences.  This year I picked up a pack of the WPA National Park Service vintage reproduction postcards from REI to send to the hubs.

We're a camping family and these are perfect little reminders of where we've been or want to go.  These prints are gorgeous.  I knew that I didn't just want to send them and shove them in a box to be forgotten.  So I took the postcards and four IKEA Ribba frames at $1.99 a pop and created some amazing graphic wall art for just around $10 total.