Real Decorating for Real People
Fireplace mantels command attention in your home so what you display on and above them is critical to the design of your room. In earlier times, the fireplace was the center of family life. That isn’t surprising, since the fireplace was the source of food, light and warmth. Times have changed, but a fireplace is…
Use inexpensive craft felt, buttons and thread to sew some adorable accessory pillows for the Halloween season. Halloween is a great holiday – for children of all ages! Officially, Halloween is celebrated on October 31, but my Matt and I see no reason why the fun should be limited to a single day. It doesn’t take…
Most fireplaces have mantels, but if yours doesn’t, never fear, with a few tools and a few boards, you can have that mantel you’re dreaming about! A roaring fire can help tame the fiercest winter weather, but not all fireplaces are created equally in a decorating sense. Without a mantel,a fireplace seems somehow incomplete nonetheless, many…
Whether it’s cottage style, or simply a garden theme, this picket fence headboard will be a lovely focal point in any bedroom. Garden romance is so appropriate for a cottage-style bedroom, but this one works beautifully in a young girl’s room too. Combine it with a picket fence painted around the room, add a floral bedspread…
Learning to sew a ruffled bedskirt teaches you how to gather fabric, sew hems, and save money by sewing decorative items yourself! A bed skirt can be ruffled or tailored, depending on the style of the bedroom. Also referred to as duster, dust ruffle or bed valance, bed skirts serve to finish off the bed…
Tile can be expensive, but paint is easily affordable and using it you can create a fantastic backsplash that most will think is really tile! Nothing can give your kitchen cabinets more pizzazz than a beautiful tile backsplash. It adds color, depth and a totally customized look. However, ceramic and glass tiles can be expensive and quite…
There are always functional items that get in the way of a beautifully designed room, and electrical cords are one of them. Yes, electrical cords are ugly, however, you can create easy fabric cord covers that will hide ugly cords and become a nice additional accent to the room. Use them on both table lamp…
Get your shop in shape ’cause this is a big project, but a mirrored hallway bench would cost an arm and a leg if you bought it – build it yourself and pocket the bucks! A tall mirrored bench with a shelf underneath makes a great place to sit and remove boots or shoes and to hang…
The Log Cabin block is a great block to sew because it has a square in the center that can become a signature block for your quilt. You can embroider your name and a date in it to pass on down through generations of your family. The basic make-up of the Log Cabin block is…
You can use a menu board to jot down your menu for the evening but it can also just be a great place to communicate between family members! Create a chalkboard to match your decor by adding a thin plywood panel to the back of a pre-made picture frame that matches or coordinates with your…
