Real Decorating for Real People
If you are looking for something cool and creamy for your next party, try whipping up some fresh guacamole. When it comes to avocados, you have to hold me back. I could eat one on my own…easily…and can wipe out a full bowl of guacamole in one sitting. Avocados are so smooth and sweet and…
The disadvantage to purchasing items “off the shelf”, or “ready made” is that they never quite fit perfectly. But with a little creativity you can make them perfect for you! It’s the same with clothing and home products. I find that there is no sheet out there that exactly fits my bed. Some fitted sheets…
There are just some things that every home needs., and they are those versatile items that can move around the house and have different functions depending on where they go… read on to see what I mean! What is Home Decorating Essential you ask? Well it’s something I made up to tout the benefits of…
Now this is a great project for kids. It teaches cutting, the hand sewn blanket stitch and stuffing. What fun! When summer, holidays, even weekends are on their way, this might be a project to print out and save in a file for those days when boredom takes over. We did ours in solid colors,…
There are many ways to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, or the 5th of May, but creating a special dinner is one of my favorites. The fifth of May has become a day of celebration here in the United States mainly because of the influx of Hispanic people to the states. Also, I think we Americans…
If your garage faces the street, your garage doors can be half of the curb appeal of your home so you should take another look at what you are saying about yourself, through your garage doors! The topic of exterior decorating doesn’t come up that often through the colder months of the year. However, as…
Why not combine the beauty of a floral arrangement with the functionality of a clock? This arrangement does that and it might open up all sorts of combinations for you! Floral arrangements are always a wonderful addition to any home. They are welcoming in the foyer, on a dining table even in a bedroom or…
When we are busy, it’s hard to make the choice to go healthy because it usually takes more time and might cost a bit more. But we all know it’s better for us, but how do you make it happen? Here’s a couple ideas. Up until about a year ago, I was probably one of…
A tailored look in interior design is like that of a man’s suit; crisp, neat, and uncluttered. It makes for a very easy atmosphere to live in. Recently, Matt and I stayed in a hotel with this very style and I documented it with photos and thought you might like to see it since it is a…
Oh yes, this one is yummy! It looks a lot more difficult than it is. And, it would be a wonderful treat to serve guests because it looks like you’ve been cooking all day to create this masterpiece. This is actually three recipes; the orzo, the pesto, and the vegetable stack. None of them take…
This floral wall display can be the inspiration for all sorts of ideas using floral stems in your home décor. Flowers have long been an essential ingredient for creating warm, inviting spaces. They can easily be integrated into a room’s decor through floral designs in fabrics and wall coverings. Accessorizing with fresh or silk flowers…
Paninis can be made with whatever ingredients suit your taste buds and that makes them a family favorite! Everyone gets what they want! I love sharing recipes. I think that’s why you see so many new recipes in our Food section. They are easy to do and we all get so much enjoyment out of…
Here’s a project for you to make for the sports enthusiast in your home. Sure, this one is baseballs, but how hard would it be to make them in the shape and colors of footballs, basketballs, golf balls, etc.? What’s a baseball quilt you ask? Well it’s something my husband has been begging me for…
If a Runza sandwich truly is centuries old, you know one thing – it’s got to be good! This recipe is from a loyal fan of Matt and Shari. You will see her comments on many of the articles within the site and she always has something positive to say, great ideas to add and…
There’s alot to see in the western portion of our country and this is the second half of a great two week visit. It’s time to continue our excursion through a small portion of the western part of our country through photos I took on a trip with my family. The first part of the…
Instead of just putting your citrus in a bowl, add silk flowers and use it as an arranagement for your dining table or counter. Do you need a spring centerpiece in less than an hour? Well, fruit and floral centerpieces are a snap to put together as long as you have the materials on hand. Even…
Get out your knife and cutting board, you have lots of veggies to chop up for this rich and delicious homemade vegetable soup. Oh my, do I love this vegetable soup! I make it sooo thick with noodles and vegetables that I think I should call it vegetable stew!! This has become a staple in…
Many of us have eaten eggplant parmesan even before thinking about becoming vegetarian, so this is an easy dish to have during your transition! This was the first new recipe I tried when my family made the decision to become vegetarian about six months ago. The idea to try this recipe all came out of…
Becoming a vegetarian does take dedication, but I have some steps to tell you that will make the whole process easier and rewarding. Years ago, when someone told me they were a vegetarian, I thought, “Oh no, they’re into that New Age stuff.” Well, I’m now one of them and it has made quite a…
Whether you use them to put a gift inside or make the boxes as presents themselves, the effort involved will be much appreciated and the box will be kept for years to come. I don’t know about you, but Matt and I both agree that hearts and chocolates are a mainstay of the holiday. So, why not…
If you are a collector you know that to really show off your collection you have to display them correctly and here are a few tips to help you do that. You’ve heard the old adage, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” Well never is this more true that with collectibles. During our…
Well, I’m excited about the additions of the color black to my spaces because it adds depth and richness as you’ll see. It’s been several months now since I added to my Whole House Design Series, and I guess it’s about time because quite a bit has happened around here. I think, judging from the #4…
Starching fabric to walls is one of my all time favorite projects because the results are always so fantastic. Matt and I have tackled the project of starching fabric to walls at least three times in residences, and then we took the whole process on the road one year as well. Why do I mention…
This is definitely one of my favorite “guests are coming over” meals because the whole dish can be made ahead of time just before your guests arrive! The unique combination of flavors with the artichokes, black olives and chicken will really get those taste buds going. All you’ll need a nice crunchy salad and some…
This is the vegetarian version of my chicken and artichoke pasta and it is flavorful enough to stand alone even without the poultry! For years I have used this recipe with the chicken addition. Now, I love it even more without the poultry. It’s fresh and tasty and is still one of my favorite “guests are…
The art of knitting is known to be calming, while at the same time it produces everything from scarves to socks, sweaters and throws! Well, when the leaves start turning and the winds start blowing, its official; its scarf weather! Funny thing, even in Florida where I live, scarves are all the rage. Ours may be of lighter…
The world of bed linens can be complicated with thread count and weave, but these words will turn you into a confident and informed shopper. Doctors say that seven or eight hours of sleep is essential to good health, but how many adults do you know who regularly get a good night’s sleep? For many of…
All you need to do to make it snow in a warmer climate is add snow accessories in just about every corner of your home! Finally, it’s snowing in Florida! I’ve missed the snow so much since my move to Florida a few years ago, that I’ve decided to use “snow” as my theme for my holiday…
Don’t save all the really cool projects for the holidays, you can put together all sorts of interesting embellished kitchenware and serving pieces any time of the year! Sure, the holidays are the seasons for celebrating, but if you’re anything like Matt and me, you enjoy entertaining throughout the year to enjoy the company of your family…
This gift wrapping station makes birthday and holiday gift wrapping an absolute dream because you have everything at your fingertips! I love shopping for presents and finding just the right gift for my family and friends. I must proudly confess, Shari’s daughter Brittany calls me the best gift giver she has ever met! A badge I…
This is a great opportunity to teach your kids how to sew on the sewing machine or even by hand and in the end you have a couple of adorable garlands for your tree, staits or fireplace! When Matt and I were young, we’ve talked about the fact that we were lucky to have a…
Advent calendars are fun for the whole family and you can customize one for yours with these easy instructions. The advent calendar is all about anticipation! And, it’s not just for kids. I too like the idea of counting down the days until Christmas since I think we are all just kid’s at heart! Our…
These textured fabric trees make for a nice decoration in an entry, on the back of the commode, even on a dresser to bring a little Christmas spirit to every room in your home! Don’t you love setting out all your holiday decorations? As you unwrap each item, memories seem to come flooding back, making…
Dress up any plain glass candle with felt wrappers that can be in any design you like from a Christmas tree to Menorah, holly wreath and more! The use of candles seems especially appropriate for the holiday season. The warm glow of candle light can welcome guests on a dark winter’s night, and their scent…
Use an old cookie sheet to make a fun magnetic advent calendar so the kids can keep track of how many days are left!! This year I went a little crazy with Advent Calendars because I think everyone enjoys counting down the days until the holiday. You might want to check out the felt Christmas…
This lollipop tree is good the entire year, but it has a real Christmasy feel to it when painted green and filled with colorful ornaments…I mean lollipops! One of my favorite things to do during the holidays is snack, especially on lollipops. Maybe that’s because, as someone once told me, the effort involved in finishing…
Apples, celery, grapes, and walnuts all give this traditional autumn salad it’s flavor and crunch! A waldorf salad is a traditional salad for Thanksgiving. I’ve never had it for my celebration, but I do know there are a lot of people who do. Well, all I needed to do was make it once, and now…
“Perfect” has different meanings to different people and in some cases perfect takes a lot of work. I learned from my grandmother that it doesn’t. So often Matt and I get asked this scary question, “How do you create the PERFECT holiday?” Well, since hosting the annual Thanksgiving meal came to me by default, I’ll…
Whip this cute turkey pillow up for your own decor, but the kid’s will want it for their own, guaranteed! Have you ever noticed that of all the holidays Thanksgiving is the one most often overlooked in terms of home décor? The most likely cause of this situation is Thanksgiving’s unfortunate placement on the calendar. …
This wine rack is a very simple project and it’s a great way to display your favorite bottles of wine. What a pretty display this wine rack makes in a dining room where we often have an empty corner. It’s just as much artistic as it is functional and it is a fairly easy project to…
