DIY Spring Moss Wreath

Dear Reader,

This is the longest part of winter in my opinion.  Once we reach mid-February, I become quite done with the weather and begin the transition to spring decor in our home even if the snow and bare trees and chilly temps suggest that spring is nowhere near!

An evergreen wreath still hung on our front door a week ago, and so I decided it was time to work on a new one.  I thought a moss wreath would provide an earthy and fresh spring look, and so I picked up supplies to craft one:

I used a grapevine wreath and hot glued bright green Spanish moss onto the wreath, leaving some exposed vine pieces.  Warning: Attaching the moss is a messy process! Then I used some spring embellishments (a nest and paper mâché bird) to provide the finishing touches.  Here is how it turned out:

This is an easy and inexpensive wreath that would be a fun addition to a front door (in my case) or to a mantel, entryway, etc. also.

I am linking up with Tatertots and Jello and Or so she says... and Osie Moats, and I hope you have a fabulous weekend!

Pink and White Nursery

Dear Reader,

Hello!  I'm still here.  I hope the last few weeks have been enjoyable ones - perhaps with experiencing the lovely sights of springtime (and maybe even a spring break?)  We had the opportunity for a quick getaway during my son's preschool spring break (and he already thinks spring break is the coolest - how does that thought start so young?!)  We had a very nice celebration of Easter both at church and with our families.

I thought I would finally give you a few glimpses into our little girl's nursery.  When I began writing this blog, one of my first posts centered on the decor updates in our then office.  This office has now been transformed into a cozy (read: small but sweet) nursery close to our bedroom.  Here are a few of my favorite touches...

bird mobile {Source: Pottery Barn Kids}

my baby shoes circa 1981
pink and white blocks {Source: Sincerely Abi}
pink sweater {Source: Angel Dear}

charming art prints {Source: Sarah Jane Studios}

my little girl's nursery

I'm so pleased with the pink and white glow of this space.  This room is very simple, but I love the layering of accessories to warm it up.

Happy Monday friends!

The table has turned!

Dear Reader,

Let me start by saying that I'm a chronic furniture mover.  I love to test new room arrangements regularly, and I came by this habit naturally as my mother switched around the furniture quite often during my childhood.   Most of the time I don't like all of the elements of changing around a room, but perhaps a good tweak in my favorite room arrangement arises from the attempt.

We have a great room that encompasses our kitchen, dining room, and living room, and sometimes I worry that the dining room seems to get left behind!  About a year ago I purchased a rug for under the dining room table which very much improved the definition of this room.  This past weekend, I decided to turn our oval table 90 degrees.  I thought it would not be a good option, and I've included a photo of to explain why...

 

OK, our dining room is a bit of a tight space.  The kitchen (and hightop counter bar) is immediately to the right of this photo, and the slider to the outside deck is immediately to the left.  I've always thought that adding length by turning the table to the way it is shown above would only make the room feel more cramped.  Not so.  I didn't realize how much necessary space is added by pulling out a chair at the table. (This may seem obvious to others, but I just figured this out!)

Interestingly, sometimes very minor changes seem to make a space much more inviting and functional.  Next up, freshening the decor on the buffet and trying to determine a softening of the two windows above the buffet.  Any suggestions?

Sincerely,

Abi

An HGTV Favorite

Dear Reader,

We spent this past weekend in my hometown celebrating my husband's thirtieth birthday.   We had a wonderful time eating at some delicious restaurants, hanging out with my family, and fitting in a bit of shopping.  Another highlight for my husband, son, and me is a bit of cable television watching.  We don't have cable at our house, and so it's a fun treat when we visit my parents.  My son loves the early morning programming on the Disney channel, and my mom has me hooked on Sarah Richardson featured on HGTV.

I love the series Sarah's House and am excited to check out Sarah 101 (and her holiday special this year was phenomenal in my opinion!)  She manages to find a wonderful balance of transformational design and decor while being aware of budget and functionality.  Her choice of patterns is exceptional, and I'm often surprised by her selection of fabrics and yet so taken with the end result.  I'm always impressed by the inclusion of both new furniture and revamped antique pieces.  And the dynamics of Sarah and her designer sidekick Tommy are an added bonus, where witty humor and great ideas reign. 

This blog is about sharing what inspires me, and Sarah Richardson's designs certainly prompt me to be more conscious of my own decorating and hopefully a bit more innovative in making small tweaks to my home!  Thanks Sarah!

Sincerely,
Abi

Great Room Update

Dear Reader,

This post could also be titled "How my husband spent his Christmas vacation."  Let me start by saying how much I appreciate my husband's willingness to dive into projects when I come up with new ideas.  He's amazingly competent with diy projects.

Our home has a great room on the main floor that is an open area with the front entry, kitchen, dining, and living room.  Since moving in a year and a half ago, I've often thought that the living room lacked definition and seemed too dark given the deep taupe wall color and limited windows.  The proportions of the room also bothered me as we have cathedral ceilings which somewhat dwarfed our furniture.  (And let's be honest, neither member of this husband and wife team were excited about repainting the room with these high ceilings!)

My idea (beautifully implemented by my dear husband) was to add a horizontal trim piece about 5 feet up from the baseboards and vertical trim along the wall, all in white.  I've included the photo below to give a peek at the results.  Yes!  Check check!

Sincerely,
Abi

We extended the trim from the living room to the front entry (shown here)
to give symmetry to an arched doorway in the room.

Workspace: Before and After

Dear Reader,

My husband, son, and I moved into our current home a little more than a year ago.  We transitioned from a home built in 1945 which we spent five years entirely redoing to a house built five years ago which needed very little tweaking.  I have discovered though that I need to live in a home for some time before completely decorating the space.  

Our office has been an area that was functional but dull.  The room had good "bones" : neutral walls, a lovely white desk and bookshelf (a la Pottery Barn), and banana leaf baskets for storage and some texture.  I didn't want to spent a lot of money on a redo, so I simply bought a lamp and two art prints.   Here are the results.

BEFORE

Just. Plain. Boring.

AFTER

Better?

Lovely blue lamp from Marshalls - $35

Artwork found at a sidewalk sale in a nearby town - $150

This room seems so much more inviting with just a few additions to the space.  Now, onto finding new bedding for our master bedroom (easier said than done, but that's another post.)

Sincerely,

Abi