Very Exciting News For LoveYourRoom

Good stuff.....I just found out that one of my favorite magazines had included us in their Fall 2014 edition.  As a DIY lover and fan of all things fun and creative, I actually keep my copies of this publication (not many come out a year).  I have many mags that I scroll through then ditch after, but this I'll hold onto for future inspirational ideas.  This is one of those!

Here it is!

The Cover (here is their facebook page)

The piece includes a small kitchen completed a while back.

This kitchen project for a lovely couple was so fun because we had to get very creative using the small space.  Most days the couple only needs seating for the two of them.  There is no separate dining room in this home, so when they have someone over (they like small gatherings) the table pushes out to expose the stool that can hold another 2 people, as well as a chair on end.  The finishes also create a warm chic look, like a separate dining room would have.  

To see more on this project CLICK HERE

Instructions how to create this striped wall and colors used. CLICK HERE

Check out the front room we designed too for this couple CLICK HERE

Follow me on Instagram at LOVEYOURROOM to see daily photos of projects, ideas, and things that interest me!  Also check out my facebook page LOVEYOURROOM.

How to Make a Striped Wall in Your Kitchen

When you think of your kitchen, does the word 'FUN' come to mind?  Probably not.  Well why not?  Try a wall treatment like this easy horizontal stripe and bring something special to the table!

This works especially well in small kitchens because it brings your eye in and people will notice the wall over the small size of the space.  This kitchen that I re-designed below was a tight space.

Kitchen looked like this:

Here is how we added the stripes----

ONE measure the wall length and height;

TWO choose paint colors.  For this wall I used Sherwin William "Analytical Gray", "Nebulous White", "Pool House" and "Cityscape";

THREE plan out on paper like this:

FOUR Paint the wall using the lightest color first, then using painter's masking tape, tape off the other stripes per your design (tip: on the painters tape, above each stripe, write the name of that stripe color to stay organized).

Now one side of this kitchen makes the meals and the other side enjoys them in style! says '----

                    left side                                                                      right side                                         

Large Corkboard Ideas For Your 2015 ToDo List

Happy 2015! Did you make your list of resolutions on a million post-its and scatter them on your frig, or push pin a long piece of paper onto your corkboard full of neatly typed promises? Yes, a new year means another chance / a fresh start / a do-over (whatever term you want to use) to renew our broken promises, missed 'to-do's', and a laundry list of uncompleted projects.  

MY OWN WALL OF SHAME!  I have a wall full of them myself (don't look too much at the photo or your eyes will hurt). I don't mess around by making them look pretty either. I am sharing this embarrassing photo to push myself to steadily complete the tasks on my wall so I can rip each blue taped paper down and do a touchdown dance on top of it. 

My wall of shame!  (this wall is 8' high x 7' long)

I definitely think its time for a corkboard!  I have been looking at the ones below.  What do you think?

This one is pretty and large!!

HOME OFFICES CAN BE CHIC - PICK A CORKBOARD FRAME THAT IS ELEGANT! This Anthus Message Board from Ballard Design has a beautiful frame, so its functional AND glitzy!  It can be purchased in the extra extra large size of 53"x83".  It also comes in smaller sizes if you don't need the space (but who doesn't need space!).   

This corkboard is not as large but really custom!!

 

CUSTOMIZE  YOUR CORKBOARD! I came across this company called pictureframes.com that allows you to choose from A TON of custom frames for your corkboard.  Looks like the max is 3' x 4' in size.   And it is reasonably priced.  The one in the sample frame above is CUL3. You can also customize a chalkboard, dry erase and mirror!

great idea!

You can keep a corkboard like this in a FAMILY ROOM and yes, it makes sense.  

This designer Studio Thomas used 2 corkboards side by side in a very kid friendly family room. They managed to keep the space chic and organized, and still look fun!

Or am I up for a little challange, with great reward!!

Love These TWO DIY CORKBOARDS.  Both of these covered corkboards use the tutorial from livecreatingyourself. It is super easy and inexpensive.

newlywife

livecreatingyourself

Happy Thanksgiving

Throwback to 1975 Thanksgiving when poor little me did not get her fill of pumpkin pie.

DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU

HAVE A FABULOUS TURKEY DAY EVERYONE

Holiday Decorating Trends For 2014

Last year, when decorating for the holidays, I was all about the burlap, the peacock blue, and much more natural elements.  This year there seems to be a trend toward bold color, chains, and feathers, among other fun elements.  

This year its emeral green, hot pink, and all of this: 

FEATHERS

Holiday decorating can be a bit more soft and realistic with the use of lifelike feathers.  They are so versatile and simple to use; just push them into any tabletop display, door wreath, or your xmas tree branches!  You can easily find them in a craft store.

I found this cute DIY indoor feather wreath idea made of paper from blogger Lia Griffith!  Check it out HERE!  Looks real from far away.
 

CHAINS

I have been seeing chains used as holiday decor in homes all over the place!  This Hot Pink Acrylic Chain Trim from Hobby Lobby can be added to tablescapes, stair railing decor, and of course the Xmas tree!

I love this Bullion Chain Garland from Wisteria.

METALLIC DEER

This year metallic is very hot in home decorating, so OF COURSE it finds its way into holiday decorating.  AND the deer, along with its antlers, are also trending.  Add metallic antlers to your mantel this season.   Place a faux deer head on a wall and hang metallic chains from it!  'Tis the seeason to get funky!

West Elm has a bunch of metallic deer related decor including this Papier Mache Deer Head in Gold!

CHALKBOARD 

Even for the holidays, the chalkboard has made it into the ‘holiday decorating’ trend for 2014!  The kids will get excited counting down to the holidays using the board. You can also buy chalkboard ornaments and have family and friends write something sweet, then hang it on your tree! 

These chalkboard ornaments from Grandin Road are perfectly on trend!!

MORE IDEAS AND TRENDS:

Vintage is still popular: 
You can find vintage looking decorations everywhere!  From a fun holiday sign to hang on a wall, to ornaments that look old.

Don’t be afraid to mix these trends together!   
Try filling an antique looking bread bowl from a store like Pottery Barn, with  metallic ornaments.  Place it on your table for an instant holiday feel.

Great color combinations:

Traditional red and green has gone - It's now Emerald and Vibrant Pink!  

As always, I say pour YOUR unique style into your decorating décor.  When shopping for decorations keep this list of trends in mind, but make sure you buy what catches your eye even if it is not 'trending'.  

DIY Light Bulb Jar Hanukkah Menorah

This project is a unique take on sand art.  I only used purple sand but you can add many layers of different colored sand for an even more striking work of art!  

Hanukkah traditions that are practiced everywhere include lighting the Hanukkah menorah, spinning the dreidel, and eating fried foods.

I love this holiday because we celebrate it with family.  It is fun lighting the Hanukkah menorah and watching the candles flicker in the evening light. This year I wanted to create a little more festive fun thru this glass light bulb DIY Hanukkah Menorah project.  It makes a very unique statement and will look great in my bay window!

*Hanukkah begins Tuesday December 16 and ends the night of Wednesday December 24.

PROJECT SUPPLIES

1.  Glass light bulb jars - 8 small ones and 1 larger one (I bought mine from Hobby Lobby)

2. Jar of sand -pick any color(s) you want (any craft store has this)

3. Tall Hanukkah candles 

STEP 1

unscrew the tops off 

(do not throw away the tops because you can re-use them to hold the sand in the jar for future years)

STEP 2

Add the sand to each jar filling them up as high as you want 

(Use a funnel; I made one out of paper.)

STEP 3

Place a candle in each jar.

NEXT, place them somewhere special, spread them out or clutter them together, and enjoy the look and flickering of the lights!

Where to place your glass light bulb Hanukkah Menorah:

-Fireplace mantel

-Wall shelf

-Table top

Happy Hanukkah!!

Local Gym Gets A Face Lift

We all need the right push to get us in the mood to work out.  Positive signs, along with the right music and color palette can drive us to sweat!  Recently we had the true pleasure of adding some encouragement to this popular local gym. After a major paint change we went to work creating signs to inspire and assist their members.  We are still working on this but here is a peek into the progress!

STEP 1: New Paint

STEP 2: Install Day Of New Signs And Artwork

Entrance To The Group Classes

AFTER

Entrance to The Weight Room

BEFORE

AFTER

Gym Entrance

BEFORE

AFTER

Gym Main Hallway

BEFORE

AFTER

AFTER

Here I am after a long day up and down a ladder!

DIY Halloween Pumpkin Boo Centerpiece

Halloween is almost here!  And its the perfect time to create a Halloween Pumpkin Boo centerpiece!  It is super easy!  I love how the ghosts blow around when any one walks past mine!  Make one for yourself; get the kids involved!

For this project you will need:

• pumpkin
• scissors
• sharp knife
• thick white paper
• hole puncher
• white thread and needle
• twigs from outside
• black spray paint
• Mason jar (or you can use a plastic cup!)

STEP 1

Cut off the top (hole needs to be as large as the mason jar or cup you are using to place inside it) and scoop out the guts and seeds.  (I cut my pumpkin top then my daughter scooped out everything)

Also clean out the outside of it and let dry.

STEP 2

Go outside and on a flat surface (I used a piece of cardboard), spray paint your pumpkin black. (I sprayed 2 coats on)

THEN spray paint your twigs black also!  (I sprayed one side, then when dry, sprayed the other side)

STEP 3

Place your jar (or plastic cup) in your pumpkin along with the sprayed twigs.

EXTRA STEP 

(you do not need to do this but it does cover the top of the jar nicely!)

Once the jar of twigs was in the pumpkin, I made a little 'collar' by cutting a band of thick white paper about an inch high (enough to wrap around the glass jar).  Then, using scissors, I cut a scalloped edge on one side.  I also punched a hole in every scallop using using a hole puncher. Finally, I fit the paper around the jar and used double sided tape to hold it in place.

STEP 4

To create the ghosts, simply cut out 10 or so ghostly shapes 2-3inches high like these out of the white paper:

Then using the hole puncher, punch out the eyes!

Finally, thread your needle, push the needle through each ghost, and tie it to form a circle.  

Place your ghosts all over the twigs and enjoy!