I love to display art and my family's pictures. But with the convenience of our camera phones I find that I have to make more of an effort to take pictures, print them out, etc. I've been visiting a few model homes and love the concept of "Photo accent walls" that have pops of color to showcase art work and family photos.
I looked on Pinterest and found dozens of photo wall pins, so I grabbed some blue paint, a pencil, painters tape and my level...and got to work!
  I used my pencil and level to measure a square on my wall, lined it with painters tape. I painted my blue square and then I used tape to arrange my photos display. I was torn between white or black frames, but ultimately I purchased black frames from Michael's and printed some black and white photos from my computer. I loved the end result and can't wait to do this on another wall in my upstairs hallway.  |
DIY - Photo & Accent Wall
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Kitchen Cabinet hardware upgrade/Easy Backsplash Touch-up
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
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Cabinet pulls from Lowes |
Changing your kitchen cabinet hardware can have a huge impact on the overall look of your kitchen.
Back in July, after sampling several cabinet knobs and pulls, we finally purchased these cabinet pulls from Lowes. My husband installed them last month and I couldn't be more pleased. They are exactly the change our kitchen needed. |
Kitchen Before new Cabinet Pulls and Glass mosaic tile outline |
But I honestly could not stop there. I was no longer pleased with my initial back splash choice once I upgraded my counter tops. However, I wanted a change that didn't require a huge wall demo. Plus my initial backsplash was a DIY project that was Just Okay. So I outlined my back splash with this beautiful mosaic glass tile from Lowes....It complimented the dark granite.
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Kitchen after with Tile Back Splash outline update |
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Kitchen after with New Cabinet Pulls
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I really loooove how we have updated our kitchen but in the most cost effective way. My updates included: Recessed lighting conversion pendant lights, Counter-top replaced with granite (our only splurge), Cabinet pulls, Paint, Glass mosaic tile outline. See image below of our kitchen before these updates....a little goes a long way. I hope these updates inspire you! Thanks for visiting, A Pretty House Rocks!
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Kitchen Before updates |
Decorating for the Fall Holiday Season - Table Settings, Fireplaces and More!
Sunday, September 21, 2014
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Sun-room Kitchen Table Setting
I absolutely loooove the way these colors look on my kitchen table. I think that you can make a statement with any color and it doesn't always have to be the standard colors of autumn.
Dining Room Table Fall Décor
Pumpkins and leaf garland from Joann's Fabrics sets the fall scene in my dining room. As Thanksgiving approaches I may add a few things but this decor has me wanting apple cider or pumpkin pie! I used my table runner in the sun room but these fall inspired table mats work perfectly as a faux runner!
Fireplace Fall Decor
I simply added a few fall silk flowers from Michaels and Joann's and changed my candles to add a touch of fall decor to my fireplace in the family room.
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| Fall Stems from Joann's Fabrics |
I hope these designs have inspired you! Thanks for visiting A Pretty House Rocks!!!!!
Kitchen Sun room - Multi-purpose and Versatile Decor
My kitchen sun room has had an identity crisis...thanks to me. It has been a dining room, sitting room, office, and crafts workshop. I haven't quite decided which one looks the best, but I wanted to share the versatility of this sun room...
As a eat-in Kitchen or dining area.
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| Or Dining Room This is my most recent use for this room. I got this new table and love to eat dinner here with my family. The windows make this an inviting space to entertain for dinner parties. Not to mention that I put the wicker set in these pics on our deck.  |
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As a Kitchen office or Work-station.....
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I truly believe that a pretty house rocks! I hope these changes can inspire you! Thanks for visiting!
Kitchen Beverage Center - Anyone can have a coffee and wine bar!
Friday, August 15, 2014
If you're like me, married with three kids, then the bar scene is just a distant memory. Well, I love my wine and I love my coffee, not in that order of course. My wonderful kitchen however was lacking a few items, such as wine cooler, wine cellar, butler's pantry, personal chef...you get the picture. I wanted those luxuries, but on a budget...so I had to improvise. My goal is to make my home exactly what I want it to be. Anything is possible when your home is your canvas. So I decided to do a little updating to that lonely counter in the kitchen next to the refrigerator. It is the only space in my kitchen that was pretty flexible. It already included our coffee maker. I bought a counter top wine cooler added a few wine glasses, items for the coffee bar... and the bar is Open! With school starting Momma needs a few things to make her day easier!
Preparing My House for Back to School...where did the summer go?
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
A successful school year begins with being organized. Here just a few of the practices that I use in my home to prepare for school both before and during the school year.
It's time for that white board calendar or even a pre-printed calendar. I've done both. Fill it in with your important dates, events, etc. I have already pulled some dates off my kids' school websites. Be sure to double check throughout the school year since dates can change. This calendar is what gets my family successfully through the school year.
Those first few days of school always start with a slew of papers to sign and file. I prepare my kids folders early with their names, one for tests/etc and one for informative school correspondences/etc. Put everything in the file box and attach the Calendar. This way you are never looking for that permission slip or that graded test.
What to wear?
As the school year begins, I always plan to organize my kids clothes by outfit for each school day. Unfortunately, this lasts for about 3 or 4 months. I have a plan that I hope will make this stick, especially since organization makes my life easier.
In the past I've used the closet organizers, but as I said it doesn't always last. So I've decided to use these door tags that I made from MS Word, added the weekdays and printed them out. On Sundays I will hang these labeled door hangers on each outfit of the week. I think this will be a more long-term solution for my family.
School supplies
Our school usually has a suggested list for kids either by website or when school actually starts. Although I usually pick up what I see on sale, especially items that I know my kids will use either at school or at home.
School Mornings and Evenings
School mornings are so much better after a full nights sleep. So at least, two weeks before school begins I start preparing my kids for that school year bed-time. I ease them into this school routine, before they even know it's happening!
A great day starts with an organized and drama free morning. I make lunch and prepare clothes in the evenings and make sure breakfast plans are easy to carry out. Kids get frustrated too, and I want my kids to begin their day with a positive outlook, not rushed as we all know can happen
I hope these ideas are as helpful to you as they have been to my family! Thanks for visiting!
Have a great back to school!
White Board Calendar and File Folders for the "Command Center"
Back to School Clothes Plan
Organizing clothes for school can be headache if you don't plan ahead. By the end of July or early August I always go through my kids drawers and closets to see what fits, what doesn't and make a list of what they need for the new year. This way I can plan accordingly. Clothes that don't fit will be donated to Goodwill. I use this list as I begin my back to school clothes shopping. Planning ahead I don't miss anything and I don't overspend. Everyone's Happy!What to wear?
As the school year begins, I always plan to organize my kids clothes by outfit for each school day. Unfortunately, this lasts for about 3 or 4 months. I have a plan that I hope will make this stick, especially since organization makes my life easier.
In the past I've used the closet organizers, but as I said it doesn't always last. So I've decided to use these door tags that I made from MS Word, added the weekdays and printed them out. On Sundays I will hang these labeled door hangers on each outfit of the week. I think this will be a more long-term solution for my family.
School supplies
Our school usually has a suggested list for kids either by website or when school actually starts. Although I usually pick up what I see on sale, especially items that I know my kids will use either at school or at home.
School Mornings and Evenings
School mornings are so much better after a full nights sleep. So at least, two weeks before school begins I start preparing my kids for that school year bed-time. I ease them into this school routine, before they even know it's happening!
A great day starts with an organized and drama free morning. I make lunch and prepare clothes in the evenings and make sure breakfast plans are easy to carry out. Kids get frustrated too, and I want my kids to begin their day with a positive outlook, not rushed as we all know can happen
I hope these ideas are as helpful to you as they have been to my family! Thanks for visiting!
Have a great back to school!
Deck Update and Decor - Using accents found around the house
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Yes....I know it's mid-late summer...but during this season I never really got around to making my deck "pretty." This deck has no decor and absolutely no color. And since its so late in the summer I really did not want to invest in anything new. So I decided to search my house and found many things to dress this deck up.
It is amazing how many things are simply lying around the house being unused and wasted. Re-using items is the best way to update your home on a budget. Decor leftover from years prior always looks good in a new location. After shopping in my own home, I put these items to use with the hopes of making this drab deck more fun and inviting.
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| Deck without Decor |
I added some colored drink glasses and blue placemats, I've had these for about 8 years! I added these candles that I painted with blue acrylic paint last Christmas and the flowers were from and old artificial flower arrangement that I used to have in my sunroom.
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| Patio table decor - painted candles |
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| Deck/Patio furniture layout |
I already had the outdoor carpet, but I added these pillows and the orange ottoman from my family room. I actually bought the ottoman from Target last year and wasn't sure where to put it. Maybe I will be able to find a more colorful outdoor rug on sale at the end of the summer.
Of course there is still more that I could have done...but I will save that project for next summer. Overall I think that this little remix looks pretty good! My family and I will put this deck to use as we close out the summer.
I truly believe that a pretty house rocks! I hope these changes can inspire you! Thanks for visiting!
Brown, Blue and Gold Dining Room Decor
Friday, August 8, 2014
I love the color blue and wanted to incorporate this splash of color in my dining room. I change the decor of my dining room often because its such an easy room to update.
I love the color blue and wanted to incorporate this splash of color in my dining room.
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| Gold Chargers from Michaels and Navy Blue and white Mikasa plates and napkins from Amazon.com |
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| I bought this Mirror from Bombay Company years ago. |
I truly believe that a pretty house rocks! I hope these changes can inspire you! Thanks for visiting!
Kitchen Upgrades on a budget: Granite & Recessed lighting conversion kits
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
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| Before granite installation |
Over the past few months we have been “re-mixing” our home, implementing various updates since a complete kitchen remodel just was not an option.
We realized that small changes often make a huge difference! We still have a ways to go. Our kitchen was pretty boring and monochromatic with every shade of brown. Plus the laminate just looked outdated. We made one splurge that was necessary, by replacing our laminate with granite and upgrading our sink. The rest of our changes were all under $100. |
| After granite installation |
In choosing a color, we decided a contrast is just what our kitchen re-mix needed. We ultimately chose “Butterfly Verde."
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| Butterfly verde granite installed |
Our next update was to do something about those recessed lights that cluttered our kitchen ceiling. We really wanted pendant lighting over our kitchen island, we just never got around to hiring an electrician to install them. So we tried these “recessed lighting conversion kits.” $99 each from Lowes. There was quite a collection of globe options and various pendants to choose from. We bought two options. My darling husband installed these in no time, five minutes each! The only issue was making sure they were leveled. This was a great way to see quick results when upgrading our kitchen.
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| Globe options for conversion kits |
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| Recessed lighting conversion kits |
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| Updated Kitchen |
We have a few more tricks up our sleeves and will share them once the next project begins. I hope these changes can inspire you! truly believe that a pretty house rocks! Thanks so much for visiting!
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