What's In My Cart?

Spring is in full swing and you can tell by my online shopping carts…fresh white sneakers, outdoor lounge chairs, spring planters, and more!

With patio weather quickly approaching it’s time to get our backyard in tip-top shape. These lounge chairs from Amazon are a nice neutral brown color, adjustable, and currently under $150 with a bonus discount!

I’m currently in the process of giving the powder room a little update, so I think this bathroom faucet would be a great simple update with big impact. With so many manufacturing and shipping delays, this Amazon prime-shipping find is huge and a great price!

You really can’t go wrong with a pair of white sneakers or a pair of Nikes…these are the best of both worlds. The elastic on these makes them so great to just slip on for an early workout. 20% off right now too!

The checkerboard trend is still going strong in my house and I love the neutral palette and natural texture of this rug.

I’ve been searching for some new planters for spring and I loved the handles and two-tone of this one.

What's In My Pool Bag?

This past week we took the family to Arizona on vacation, so having a stocked pool bag was a must. I’ve rounded up my favorite things to keep poolside so you can swim and lounge in style!

I love the checkerboard trend and this beach bag is the perfect catch-all for all of your poolside goodies!

This is a great straw visor that is easily packable, it just rolls right up!

You can’t go wrong with a classic black swim suit. It’s a one-piece with a little bit of sass!

No pool day is complete without a good sunscreen. Sun Bum is a go-to for the family, it just smells so beachy and good!

Some simple sandals to wear to and from the snack bar…

Have you ever seen a cuter towel?! This retro one is so fun, it takes your vacation game to a whole new level.

Everybody loves a good cover-up. They’re so convenient to throw on before and after you take a dip and make you look so put together.

There’s not much better than a good pair of sunnies once the sunny weather hits. The faded rosy pink is a fun pop of color and these are a great option under 60 bucks!

DIY Wall Treatments & Accent Walls

Wall treatments have been around for centuries but have majorly regained their popularity in recent years. There are so many different types of wall treatments, from wallpaper to wainscoting, that one of them is almost guaranteed to catch your eye and fit in with your style. They are such a simple addition but can make a big statement in any home. The best part? You don’t have to hire an expensive woodworker or contractor to install them - many of them are extremely cost effective and easy enough to do yourself! And you know I’m a sucker for a good DIY…

There’s many more wall treatments and accent wall ideas than you’ll see here (wallpaper, tile, plaster, etc.,) but these are a few of the popular ones I get questions about in my home. And keep in mind these were all done by myself, Curtis, or with a little family help!

 

Beadboard

Beadboard consists of narrow wood planks stacked vertically that have a ridge or “bead” in between. Sometimes it’s used as wainscoting (any wall treatment covering the bottom third of the wall) or even as a ceiling accent. These days beadboard comes in long sheets that mimic the board-by-board look making it SO easy to install.

I ran my beadboard in the dining room about 2/3 up the wall and capped it with a finishing piece. Paint it the same color as the rest of the wall or room, or give it a complementary color that can add some depth and dimension to the room. Try it in a bathroom, bedroom, or even a ceiling. The possibilities are endless!

Shiplap

If you’ve watched HGTV at any point in the last ten years, there’s a good chance you already know what shiplap is. Some old homes have it conveniently hidden beneath drywall just waiting to be uncovered, but it is a trend that can easily be replicated with some simple planks of wood. The rustic charm and texture can make a space dramatically cozier and add a beautiful, simple backdrop for artwork and furnishings.

I have pockets of shiplap all over my home, some in the entryway, some in the living room, and some in our bedroom. To me it adds so much charm and a warm, cozy feel that is especially nice as an accent behind a bed frame or in a gathering space. You do have to nail it plank by plank so it takes a little patience but is a pretty easy weekend project and can be done with 1/4'“ plywood.

Slat Wall

Wood slat walls are a more recent design trend that really add a layer of depth and visual interest. They serve as great backgrounds for bedrooms and the walls underneath can be painted deep colors for added dimension. This slat wall we did in Jack’s room was a fun modern touch that added a ton of personality. What otherwise would have been a simple desk nook feels like a sleek, unique space you might actually want to do your homework in. The process is time consuming but still doable and uncomplicated. Opt for a sheet of plywood that you can cut into 1/2 to 2 inch strips yourself to save big on money, or use pre-cut 1x2 boards to save big on time. Pick your poison. Being the DIY queen I am I opted for the first option and while it was a pain in my butt it was well worth it in the end!

Board & Batten

Board and batten is a classic wall treatment that has been around for ages and is known as more of a traditional look (it was cheap and easy to use on sheds and barns back in the day). But nowadays it is popular in all styles of homes! Board and batten is made up of narrow planks (boards) with wider planks (battens) covering the seams. It can be in vertical stacks like in my entry or in a rectangular pattern like my living room ceiling. To save a little moolah you can also attach the battens directly to the drywall to simulate the look. Board and batten is great as wainscoting in a bathroom or dining room as well!

Box Trim

This wall treatment may also be known as shadow box trim or a few other names, but essentially it refers to frame-shaped trim installed on walls or layered on top of other moldings. It’s elegant and charming yet simple, and can be dressed up or down just like your favorite LBD.

Use any trim you like (base cap is a good choice for extra dimension) and adhere to the wall with liquid nails followed by brad nails. The key here is to measure twice, cut once and make sure you plan out your spacing ahead of time! Once installed, paint the entire wall whatever color your heart desires and you’ll have a gorgeous accent wall that serves as a statement but also isn’t overwhelming. I love that it almost acts like its own wall art with the framing effect too, you can find it in my living room!

What's In My Luggage? -Spring Vacation Edition-

This week the family is on vacation in Arizona. So today we’re sharing what’s in my luggage, AKA my spring vacation travel essentials!

Slip dresses are so easy to throw on for a dinner or evening out. Throw a sweater or denim jacket over and call it good!

Love the added texture of ribbed swimsuits and the neutral color of this one is perfect! Plus only $25 for the set.

These chunky black sandals are my go to for spring and summer. They go with just about everything.

These fun Oakley sunnies are currently 50% off!! They’re polarized too so they’re perfect for a sunny spring vacation.

Vacation is all about relaxing so I like to bring a cozy cute set to lounge in on those lazier vacation days.

A cute shoulder tank for under $20! Can be dressed up or down.

This one is a little bit of a splurge but the pebble leather and off-white color? Perfection.

We love to bring a game to play when traveling. There’s so many occasions where we’ve wished we had a game to pull out with friends so we bring one with us!

You just can’t go wrong with Levi’s 501s. The mid thigh length is great too - it’s so hard to find shorts that are just the right length! Not too cheeky and not full on bermudas…

How To Mix Wood Tones In Your Home

If you’ve seen my home before, you already know I love the warmth and earthiness that wood furniture and decor add to a room. It’s the perfect grounding balance to my favorite black and white combo, but it also complements playful colors just as well. I can’t imagine a space without some form of wood whether it be the floors, wood paneled walls, a rustic wooden door, or some weathered wood accents. It’s just simply one of the best and most versatile materials. However, I notice a lot of people start to panic when it comes to mixing wood tones in a home. Either they’re afraid to step outside the box and only use one single specific wood tone throughout their home, which can often look flat and one-dimensional. OR they use any and every wood piece they find in one space which can easily overpower a room. I think the key here is to find the perfect balance of wood tones that both complement and contrast. Here are a few tips for achieving that layered, lived-in look that designers strive for.

The first step to achieving this balance is to figure out (or create) your dominant wood tone. If you’re looking at a space from afar this would be the largest wood component that immediately stands out to you. Maybe it’s hardwood floors, a large wooden dining table, or a wood paneled ceiling like mine! Then ask yourself - is the tone light, medium or dark? Once you’ve got that established, you’ll want to draw in some contrasting tones next. For example, if you have dominant light maple floors you can bring in some dark walnut wood in a coffee table or console. Or if you have a large grey toned built-in that is the main focus, try bringing in some different cool wood tones such as a light pine or ashy colored wood.

Slowly add in more contrasting tones until you have at least one variation of a light, medium, and dark wood. The key here is to make sure that each tone is repeated at least 2-3 times to give it a cohesive, curated look. It helps to vary the sizes too so maybe try a mix of furniture pieces, flooring/wall treatments, and then smaller accents. Wooden chain links, vases, bowls, decorative beads are all great small accent pieces to easily repeat a certain wood tone. Warm Toast Designs has some great affordable wooden decor including this wooden chain link that I have!

Try and stick to a palette of either warm or cool tones. Walnut, cherry and hickory tend to lean warm with orange, yellow, and red undertones. Whereas maple, poplar, ash, and pine are typically considered cooler tones that read more blue, green, black or gray. Walnut is a great go-to because it is so neutral and can easily read either way depending on the woods you mix it with!

Spread out the wood pieces throughout the space so they’re not clustered to one area. Layer in a patterned rug that breaks up your hardwood floors from your reclaimed wood coffee table or lounge chairs. Add in your other complementary materials like natural textiles, painted woods, ceramics, and metal finishes. These will add to the effortless “layered” look that we’re going for.

Before you know it you’ll have a balanced, cozy space that is accented by woods of all different shades! By following these easy tips, you should be able to let your dark woods and light woods happily intermingle without competing or overwhelming the room. If you’re still wanting a little more guidance or inspiration, here are some roundups of light, medium, and dark decor!