Let’s Turn a Guest Room into a Hobby Room

Functional Hobby Room for Painting

Sometimes the entire function of a room has to change to make it work for new circumstances, so go into it open minded and with creativity!  This particular before and after is an actual functional change to the room as well as a decorative change.  These are usually pretty involved since so much of the…

Transform an Attic into a Guest Room and Office

Extra Guest Room in an Attic

Walk up attic spaces are wonderful for storage but they can also be made into all the rooms you are lacking downstairs! I have never lived in a home with an attic like this home.  It had its own staircase right up to the third floor. The walls were finished, painted at least, and it…

Italian Pasta Primavera is Loaded with Vegetables

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Pasta Primavera is a wonderful way to get your Italian fix but eat your veggies too! It’s easy to make and it looks impressive when you are done. Young cooks should copy this one and keep it for when the in-laws are coming for dinner.  Pair it with really good bread from the bakery and…

Floor Standing Florals are Perfect in Corners

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If you have an empty corner you might want to try making a floor standing floral arrangement to fill it up with style. Many homes today have very high ceilings.  This poses issues with accessories because there is so much wall space it’s hard to know what to add to fill it all in.  Well,…

How to Live Large – Even in a Small Space

Live Large in a Small Space

Today I think we have more respect for those who can put together a functional and happy home on a much smaller footprint. Matt and I have had a relationship with Hunter Douglas shades and blinds for a very long time. They were always there for us while we taped room by room and we…

Sift Through Magazines for Unique Accessorizing Ideas

Candles in old bottles as accessories - MattandShari.com

Grab magazines, and catalogs for that matter, and look beyond the main focus of the photos to check out some of the most interesting ways to accessorize rooms. Like many of you, I receive several (times 2) magazines or catalogs in my mailbox everyday.  Of course I use them to keep a finger on the…

Start a New Hobby Making Stained Glass

Great Hobby - Stained Glass

Stained glass crafting can be lucrative as well as entertaining if you find you have a knack for it. Stained glass is an art form that has been enjoyed by artisan and onlooker alike for centuries.  It’s quite a process, but if you are a crafter with patience and tough skin on your fingers, you…

Hand Painted Flowers Look Like Wallpaper

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I know it looks tedious but this painted floral design was done in layers and the finished product will amaze you!  One of the keys to successful decorating is flexibility.  Matt would agree whole heartedly, especially since he’s the one who can frequently be found climbing ladders, moving furniture, and hanging light fixtures.  While physical…

10 Seasonal Table Setting Ideas to Try

Blue Table Setting

If you have a party coming up or just want to surprise your family with a special table tonight, here are some ideas to get you started. A year has gone by and my church had its annual ladies event where we have a speaker, share appetizers, salads and desserts, and many of us offer…