Fall Pumpkin Sign and Porch Decor

Every.single.year. I say I am going to really decorate for Fall - really decorate...and I usually just fill the porch with pumpkins....BUT finally, I really do have a beautiful Fall porch! Partnering with Oriental Trading I created this pretty pumpkin sign and Fall display. I wanted a look that would "work" throughout Fall into Thanksgiving (until the Christmas decorations come out!), and this look will do just that.

CONTINUE READING

Produce Label Towels

I have a serious love affair with kitchen towels. I find it one of the easiest ways to show some personality in my kitchen. I have quite a large collection of California themed towels, and a ton of towels I have made, like the sweet vintage mason jar towel. Well, it is time to make some more towels...I thought about fruit...then vintage labels...then how much we loved going apple picking in the Fall...then POOF - it hit me, how about some produce label towels (and, I totally know that when you pick apple off the tree they do not come with labels...ok?). My kids thought I was being weird and then realized this was pretty appropriate because, while I do wash the fruit for their lunches...its early...I am NOT a morning person, and I always leave that produce sticker on.

CONTINUE READING

Farmhouse Style Inspired HOME Sign

I have a lot of signs in my house. I love words. I love signs. I love wood. I like to make a statement. Some of my signs are sassy. Some are simple. And, some are just pretty (if I do say so myself). I was feeling very inspired by "Fixer Upper" and Farmhouse Style decor for this sign. I love the sweet wreath used as the "O" and the rustic charm.

CONTINUE READING

5 Tips for Thrifting Furniture

I am a collector of many, many things. I have a penchant for rescuing old, beat up, second-third-or-fourth hand furniture. It has gotten to a point where my husband has declared a moratorium on new "treasures." Because if you noticed, I said I rescue...and sometimes it takes awhile for me to get around to fixing up the old furniture I find. Sometimes I just know I have to have a piece...even if I am not sure what I am going to do with it or where I will find a home for it. Sometimes I just cannot let a good piece of furniture go to waste. And sometimes I actually own the piece for months (and I admit years) before I determine how I am going to transform the piece. When I bring home these treasures, I have every intention of restoring some of their former glory and making them beautiful again, with my own special twist.

My furniture painting and restoring skills are still at novice level, but Julie from Vintage Soul TX takes the art of transforming secondhand furniture to a new level. Thanks Julie for letting me showcase your talents in these photos.

CONTINUE READING

Answer Your Door from Anywhere with Skybell WiFi Video Doorbell (GIVEAWAY)

I moved almost one year ago and today I am excited to share with you my experiences as part of the Skybell blog program with One2One Network.

We bought a home in brand-spanking new neighborhood and never in my life have I had more solicitors and people at my door! Between pulling the kids out of the pool, stopping my gardening or securing the new puppy, I was spending a lot of time going back and forth to answer my door. I knew there had to be a better way to deal with this, other than ignoring the doorbell (because sometimes it is a neighbor coming to visit!)...and then I was introduced to Skybell. With Skybell I can see, hear, and speak to whoever is at my door (even if I am not there!)

CONTINUE READING

My Favorite Moving Tip: Just Add Tape!

It has been a few months since we moved from California to Austin...

and I finally have unpacked all but 3 boxes in the garage - whew!

(that is no small feat!)

We were lucky that we were able to hire professional movers...

but we have used professional movers before, so I knew that this did not necessarily

ensure everything would end where it was supposed to or stay organized.

I did some packing myself and got a few boxes from a friend - this where I learned this MOVING TIP for keeping all those (and there were A LOT) of boxes organized.

It has proven to be my sanity saver!

CONTINUE READING

How To Stain or Dye Concrete Floors: The Results!

The other day I walked you through how to prep your concrete floors for staining or dyeing. Today (ta-da!) I am going to show you how I applied the dye and the wet look sealer. I will admit...quite a few times during this process I thought I was crazy! But, now that I am done...I LOVE these floors.They have depth, texture, warmth...and are durable!

CONTINUE READING

Waverize It!: Slipcovered Ruffle Wreath

A little bit ago, a lovely little package with a couple yards

of Waverly Fabric from Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store  arrived on my doorstep.

This fabric sent me over the moon - gorgeous and fun and fabulous!

I had one million and one ideas for it...

and was only given one rule...Waverize It!  

CONTINUE READING

Gone (House) Hunting

These last few weeks have FLOWN by!

I guess that is what happens when you are CRAZY!

(at least I am mostly in good company)

 

I have been on the computer...

but it is because I am OBSESSED with house hunting!

Partly because I need a place to live

and partly because it is fun to fantasize about a new place.

(even though I LOVE my old place)

And then there is the matter of selling the old place. 

BLAH!

And TWO kiddo BIRTHDAYS to plan!

So I am taking this week off for my own sanity...

but I will be back with awesomeness next week!

And if you all have any tips or helpful hints for moving to another state or packing...

feel free to SHARE!

This post is written and created at 504 Main by Holly Lefevre

CONTINUE READING

Easy Fix for Damaged Wood (How To)

I recently found out I am moving...

so I have been CRAZY cleaning, tossing, sorting, and fixing...

everything that we have not fixed in the last eight years

Please tell me I am not the only one who does this!

Image credit: iloveotto / 123RF Stock Photo

I also have the uncanny ability to buy houses with really big master bathrooms...

but they are usually DUDS!

We spruced this one up a bit for the sale...

but we have never done anything about this door.

(Oh yeah...here is a "warning"...

from here on down these pictures are not pretty...I tried.)

OK, first let's be honest...my door is ugly.

It is never going to be pretty...but it can be prettier.

I did this 10+ years ago in my other house.

The vanity was ginormous and had water damage from the moisture in the bathroom. Streaky, icky water damage.

I cannot remember where I learned this trick...

but it works...and it simple and cheap!

This works on doors, cabinets, and furniture (at least it has for me)

What You Need:
1-2 Rags (old T-shirt, etc.)
Petroleum Jelly

What You Do:
TEST THIS IS A SMALL AREA TO BE SURE IT WILL NOT DAMAGE YOUR WOOD!

• Clean the door/surface if necessary.
• Use the rag and dip it is the petroleum jelly and rub the jelly into the wood where the damage is. 
• I apply mine pretty liberally (if you have animals...barricade them from the area or you will have jellied animals and hairy doors).
• Let it stand for an hour or so. It pretty much works right away...but leaving it for a bit does not hurt.
• Wipe excess of with another rag.
• Some petroleum jelly residue will remain.
• You can come back later and wipe it again to get all of the petroleum jelly off.

That is it! Damage gone!

Door (even if it is ugly like mine) looks better!

 

Bye...Bye...Ugly Wood!

This post is written and created at 504 Main by Holly Lefevre

CONTINUE READING

A Place For You: Creating a Mom Cave

Everyone needs a little space they can call their own.

Maybe you cannot claim an entire room, but having even a small space you can sit, read, relax, or do whatever you enjoy surrounded by a few inspirational or favorite items can really be uplifting, relaxing, and motivating.

I have been talking about redesigning a space in my home for a long time now. 

I started to think  - dream - about what I would do with my own personal space,

- My Mom Cave -

and began my quest online with La-Z-Boy.

Immediately I saw rooms that inspired me. 


Wouldn't you love to sit right down and enjoy a cup of coffee with a friend here?

CONTINUE READING

My Mini Living Room Makeover #FreshAccents

I love to change up the look of my rooms for each season.

Just a bit mind you...small changes have big impact.

An infusion of new accent color,

a new accessory,

or rearranging the furniture

make a room feel fresh and clean and new.

The Fresh Accents look perfect accompanying the bright yellow daffodils
as the centerpiece of the living room table!

When I create a plan for or design or freshen up a room, I want to create an entire experience, from the floor (working on finding a new rug) to the ceiling, and that means everything, including the senses. I love walking into a room and having a complete experience, and the right scent can do just that.

Scents have meaning. 

They relax us.

They invigorate us.

They transport us to a special place.

Wouldn't it be nice for your home to give that experience to your guests?

I use books all over my house as decor. Here I added a wire cloche
(picked for for a bargain!) atop the book...
with a touch of sunshine under it!

With this in mind, I decided a wanted to give my home a signature scent for Spring!

I headed over to shop for Renuzit at Safeway.
I was looking for the Renuzit Fresh Accents.
The aisle was easy to find!

And, so were the Fresh Accents...
I had two scents to choose from After The Rain and Raspberry.

Shopping for the Renuzit at Safeway was super easy. I had to hit the "bigger" Safeway a couple of towns over, but it was worth it...I scored my #FreshAccents in "After the Rain" scent. It is fresh and clean and just what I was looking for. I made sure to use my coupon (yeah!) and then headed home to try it out.

You can grab a coupon on Renuzit's Facebook Page!  

You can read all about my shopping experience HERE!

Not only do these beauties have a pleasing scent...
they are oh so pretty. 

You get 2 for 1 with Fresh Accents!
The 2 different but complimentary sides are GORGEOUS! 

The Fresh Accents compliment my mini living room makeover to perfection,
just gorgeous in fact!

The Mini Makeover
I have an eclectic mix of decor - touches of new, vintage, romantic and modern combine to match my home's personality! I have "my loves" out on display already, so I generally leave those out...forever! What I am looking to do with each season is to brighten up the room with color to match the season.

A vintage ceramic chick lives harmoniously alongside
Fresh Accents in "After the Rain," some vintage books, and a milk glass pedestal bowl.
I just finished painting my living room, transitioning from a very cool purple color to a new neutral and fresh hue. Don't get me wrong I adore my purple, but now that my walls were more neutral I felt like I could play with  colors a bit more. 

Here is the former look of the room:

Here is the NEW room:

My "old" color palette had accents of red. I tend to be drawn to red all the time and thought for Spring, for my fresh start,

I would punch  the red and neutrals up with yellows.

The neutral base (couch and walls) of my living room, allowed me the freedom to use a combination of patterns and colors. I love the way my floral pillows look with the pleated yellow ones and I even managed to sneak in a couple purple pillows!

I used what I had to complete my mini makeover, but I did make some new art.

I used to have big old white branch with crystals...hubby has never understood it...he will be so happy to see it temporarily relocated. This current art is very similar to my spray painted canvas I did last week...I used a slightly different technique

(I will share that this weekend).

I have been debating whether or not to paint my fireplace for some time,but am loving the addition of the white and khaki canvases on the brick...I may just leave it alone...

for now!  

Of course, fresh fruits and fresh flowers really make it feel like Spring to me.

There were some gorgeous Spring flowers at Safeway...at a great price,

but I was drawn to the Daffodils.
What better way to get a pop of vibrant yellow than lemons and daffodils! 

The best way to save money when planning your own mini room makeover...

1 - A good cleaning - it does wonders!

I felt like I had a new room once I did a VERY thorough cleaning. It also helps prep the room for the addition of your Fresh Accents too! Now the scent can truly be enjoyed!

2 - Shop your own house!

Sometimes just moving a few things around makes a world of

difference and gives the room a new focal point or perspective.

I paired "old" pillows with new, added a throw I already had, placed some of my milk glass under a cloche with fresh flowers, and mixed and matched a few pieces from around the house - it all looks new in a new "home."

3 - Think about how to create a complete environment. What will guest see from all angles? Are the pillows comfy? Is there a throw in case of a chill in the air (it is always chilly here - so that is a necessity!)? Will you be playing music?

What will all of their senses remember about the room?

What are sights, smells, and sounds of your home?

Adding a fresh, pleasing scent is an easy way to create ambiance.

Combine all of this and it makes for the total experience.

My living room is really benefiting from the little bit of sunshine.

So what about you...do you refresh your rooms with the seasons?

Head over to the Renuzit Facebook Page not only can you get a cool coupon for a Fresh Accent (I used mine for sure!) and you can hang out with Gorgeous Man...
and really who needs an excuse for that? 

This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. #CBias  “all opinions are my own”

CONTINUE READING