House & Bounty

After a little break for the holidays, Jeremy and I are preparing to start our first project of the year. It’s our family room, a space that never felt quite right but sees a lot of action. It’s the main place we go to hang out, watch TV, play games, and gather when we have company. When we first moved into the house, it looked like this:

It has white walls with 90’s/2000’s orangy oak trim. It’s a long and narrow room, measuring ~15″ W x 21″ L. It had worn, but clean, Berber carpet. The floor plan below shows you where it is in relation to other parts of the house. You can see that it has one large opening from the kitchen area.

As with the rest of the house, the room is not offensive but feels outdated. When we first moved in, we simply put all of our existing furniture in a hodgepodge layout.

This room initially stumped me. I love the natural stone fireplace, but it has some challenges. First, it’s flat against the wall, so installing built-ins would make the fireplace look recessed. That’s not a look I particularly like. In addition, it has a huge mantel. It fits the wall and the space but it can dwarf things next to it if they are not substantial, too. Lastly, the long, narrow nature of the living room is always a challenge when trying to make a room feel cozy, comfortable, and intentional.

The Family Room Floor Plan

The first thing I did was create a floor plan. For me, this is the foundational step in designing any room. It will dictate the type, size, and number of furniture pieces needed. That will be essential when shopping for the different parts of the room.

This room will have two focal points, the fireplace and a large TV armoire. We purchased a hunter green sectional for our first house over 10 years ago and I still love it. It will help anchor this room and provide a great view of the television and fireplace. Just an FYI, the sectional shown in the floor plan is not exactly right, but it works well enough for the concept and planning. I created a labeled version of the floor plan, to provide additional insights into the different components.

In the grandest of plans, I would like to vault the ceiling and add two windows, flanking either side of the fireplace. However, that may need to wait until later as Jeremy and I are still deciding how to do both of those things. But I cannot stop thinking about vaulting the ceiling. It would be a game-changer for this room. Hopefully, that will happen down the road.

The Family Room Design Board

The design plan is not completely finished. I feel pretty confident about 70% of it but know that things may change and morph as we move toward completion.

For the most part, this design plan shows the materials and furniture. I plan on painting the walls Simply White by Benjamin Moore. The room is west facing, so it’s never extremely bright, although adding those two north-facing windows would definitely help. We’ll remove the carpet and lay down the white oak flooring that we installed in the office, dining, and living rooms. I plan on painting the trim ultra-pure white by Behr and replacing the baseboards with thicker versions.

I’ve already purchased the wood cabinets that will flank the fireplace and love them! I plan on applying a whitewash stain to dampen down the yellow and neutralize the color. The TV armoire is from Crate and Barrel and is exactly what I want for the room. It is visually heavy (I’m sure physically too) and will hide all of our TV and video gaming accessories. I want to get some sort of natural wood console table to go behind the sofa. I plan on storing blankets and other cozy materials there.

As for seating, we’ll keep our green sofa (the color above is an exact match – although it’s not our sofa). I want to use more modern leather chairs to create some contrast in the rather traditional country style of the room. These chairs may not be the ones we end up buying but they are good-enough representations for now. I also include some fabrics and pillows to show the direction for the accessories. This may change but I am happy with the choices right now.

One thing missing from the design board is the desk that will be tucked into the corner. I already have it (I’ve even talked about it here before). It’s a cute little vanity that I bought for $40 from an antique shop a few years ago. I’ve been slowly sanding and stripping it for the last two years. It’s actually one of those learning projects. I had no idea what I was doing, hence why it is taking me so long to finish. But it is almost done now and I can’t wait to bring it into the room.

Timeline & Execution

We plan on working on this project for the next 2-3 months. The biggest project will be laying the floors. Jeremy and I are getting pretty proficient at it, but this room is larger and has the additional challenge of the stone fireplace that requires some troubleshooting. Specifically, how are we going to lay the floors next to it since the edges are jagged and inconsistent? We have a couple of ideas, but no final direction yet.

Jeremy has a busy January, so we are officially starting the project on February 1st. I’ll spend the next couple of weeks wrapping up the final design decisions. I’ll share some of the things I am researching (curtains! console tables! art!) over the next couple of weeks.

Yay for a new year and new project!

We made it to 2022, ya’ll! Like most people, I’m heading into this year with cautious optimism that life will continue to look more “normal.” For me, that just means more people, more events, and more hugs. Below are a few things that caught my eye recently. I hope you enjoy them.

Why We All Need To Have More Fun: Wow, this article speaks to me so much. I will definitely be penciling in more time for FUN this year.

A different type of gallery wall –and I’m here for it!

Writing helps me think and this quote basically sums it all up.

I’m into backpack purses right now. I particularly like this leather one, this black one, and this one by Rebecca Minkoff.

Wallpaper is making a comeback and it’s easier than ever now. I’ve gathered all the best wallpapering tips and tricks (including what I’ve learned!) to help make it even easier.

I’ll go over all the big things to think about and all the little things that you didn’t know from how to make the adhesive a tad easier to work with to how to stay organized during the install. Wallpaper is one of the easiest ways to transform and personalize a space. Make this one of your DIY skills and you’ll open new doors and opportunities for your home design! Okay, let’s get started!

Wallpapering Tip #1 : Consider The Room & Function

It’s tempting to order whatever wallpaper is prettiest (isn’t that the whole point?), but first, you should consider the room and its function. For example, if you are putting wallpaper in rooms that are likely to get dirty and need a scrub down (like a kitchen, hallway, or bathroom), then picking a vinyl-type wallpaper will be best. Also, some wallpapers, like grass cloth, should not be installed in rooms with high humidity, like bathrooms.

Most wallpapering websites have an option to sort papers by type, so you could easily see the options that would work best for your room. You can order wallpaper at Spoonflower in a variety of different types, and they have a handy informational pop-up to help you pick the best wallpaper for your project.

Wallpapering Tip #2: Know About the Wallpaper Installation Methods

There are four general ways to install wallpaper:

1. Prepasted – This type of wallpaper already has the paste adhered to the wallpaper. You’ll need to spray or soak it in water and wait a certain amount of time before installing it.
2. Unpasted | Paste-The-Wall – This wallpaper does not have any adhesive on it. You’ll apply the adhesive to the wall and then install the dry wallpaper on top of it. This type of paper is usually non-woven and easy to install.
3. Unpasted | Paste-The-Paper – This wallpaper does not have adhesive on it. However, you’ll need to apply the adhesive to the paper, wait for 5 minutes or longer, and then install it.
4. Peel & Stick – This wallpaper is like a big sticker. I’ve used it on a project before and it does allow you to reposition it and can be removed easily in the future without any damage.

The installation method depends on the type of paper and is generally noted on the label. By knowing the installation method, you’ll be able to purchase the right supplies and get the most longevity out of the paper.

Wallpapering Tip #3: Read the Directions

I have ordered over 5 different wallpapers over the last couple of years and found a wide variety of instructions. Some are very detailed and others are very vague. If it is very detailed, you should follow the directions exactly. For example, the directions could outline how to prime your walls, how long to soak your paper and other valuable tips. I’ve also had instructions that provided basically no information beyond stating a professional installer should be used (not that helpful).

However, when looking at the directions you should also take a look at the wallpaper symbols as this will help you when installing or prepping for the wallpaper. These symbols will tell you how washable the paper is, how the paper will react to the sun (i.e., does it bleach easily), how to install the paper, how to remove the paper, and the pattern alignment. This website contains detailed explanations of all the symbols.

Wallpapering Tip #4: Order More Wallpaper Than You Need

When calculating how much wallpaper you’ll need, always add an extra roll. It’s likely that you’ll make a mistake if this is your first time. It’s also nice to know that you’ll have extra just in case you ever need to repair the wallpaper down the road.

It can be painful to spend that extra money, but you may be able to return it if you don’t use it. Also, ordering a little bit more will prevent you from running out mid-install.

Wallpapering Tip #5: Know the Lot Number

Every roll of paper will tell you the batch or lot number. This is important because there can be slight variations (i.e., color) between batches. The best practice is to order all your wallpaper at one time. When you receive it, check the batch numbers and verify they are all the same. If you need to order a new roll, you can request the same batch number but it’s not guaranteed by most suppliers.

Wallpapering Tip #6: Gather Supplies & Make Yourself A Wallpaper Kit

To make things easier, gather all your supplies and store them in the same place. Better yet, store them in a Tupperware box and keep a checklist of supplies in the box. Some of the required supplies won’t fit in a reasonably-sized container but if you have the checklist you can grab the last few items.

I made myself a wallpaper kit and I uploaded my checklist here. You can download the list and quickly make your own kit. Some supplies are only needed for certain types of wallpaper installation.

Wallpapering Tip #7: Prep Your Walls Accordingly

After reading the directions, you should prep the walls. This usually means cleaning them and occasionally painting on some wallpaper primer. I really like the Zisser primer. It’s affordable and seems to have worked well for the project that we used it on. We have a couple of other wallpapering projects in the hopper, so I’ll continue to update everyone on how wallpaper holds up.

Wallpapering Tip #8: Understanding Double Rolls Vs. Single Rolls

Wallpaper can come as a single roll OR a double roll. The double roll is still only 1 roll, but it has twice as much paper as the single roll. When you buy a double roll, you’ll pay for two rolls even though you’ll only get one. The length of the wallpaper for “double roll” wallpaper is for the total amount.

Let’s use an example as this is sometimes confusing. Below is an example from one of my favorite wallpaper websites, Going Decor. This particular wallpaper is sold in double rolls. Remember, you are still only getting ONE roll, the length is just longer (as it detailed below). The price listed is for a single roll, but you can only order a quantity of two at a time. However, you will only get ONE roll that is double the length.

Wallpapering Tip #9: Add a Small Amount of Water to Paste if Thick

If you need to use adhesive (for unpasted papers), I’ve found a very small amount of water can help loosen it up a bit if it starts feeling thick and doesn’t spread easily. Don’t add too much water, because you don’t want to dilute the paste. A splash of water (~1-2 teaspoons) in the entire container is all I would typically use.

Wallpapering Tip #10: Use an Apron or Belt to Hold Tools

Wallpapering requires a surprising number of tools that you’ll need to frequently use. It’s easy to misplace the smoother or loose the utility knife under a rag or two. I just bought myself an apron to hold the abundance of tools and it’s a game-changer. I’ve never felt so prepared.

Purchase an apron with lots of pockets. It should have large and small ones to give you storage for all the things. This is the one I purchased from Amazon.

Wallpapering Tip #11: Use a Laser Level to Install the Paper Straight

The most important thing for wallpaper is to make sure your first piece (and I would argue the first piece on every wall) is completely straight. When the paper is installed straight, it will be much easier to install the rest and, of course, your pattern will look amazing! I have found when my paper is not straight, wrinkling, and bubbling start to be bigger problems.

To get the wallpaper straight, we use a fancy laser level. I particularly like this self-leveling one with vertical and horizontal lines, as you can use it for all kinds of projects. It is an investment but well worth it if you are a DIYer.

Wallpapering Tip #12: Don’t Fret too much about Corners

If you are doing more than one wall, you’ll need to tackle the corners and they are intimidating at first. What I’ve learned is that I shouldn’t fret too much about the corners. The corner will create a slight distortion because of the nature of it, so instead of focusing on lining up the pattern perfectly, focus on getting the piece of paper that goes on the new wall perfectly straight (see tip 11 above).

It’s not easy to describe how you should install wallpaper into the corner, so you should watch a few of my favorite videos before doing it (I’ve linked them in this post and this one too).

Wallpapering Tip #13: Change Water & Rinse Sponge after 3 or 4 Panels

The adhesive from the wallpaper can easily be smeared all over your freshly papered wall with a dirty sponge or dirty water. This can lead to long-lasting marks on your wallpaper that are impossible to remove. To avoid this, I like to change the water and rinse out my sponge every 3-4 panels. It can be a little annoying but it’s much easier to start with a clean sponge and water than to do it frantically once the glue is all over the wallpaper.

Wallpapering Tip #14: Have a Damp & Dry Rag

Like tip # 13, this one is to help keep your installed wallpaper as clean as possible. Keep a wet and dry rag on you at all times. I use both rags to wipe off my wallpaper smoother when it starts accumulating adhesive. I’ll first use the wet one to clear the glue and then the dry one to dry off the smoother. Just like a dirty sponge or dirty water, a messy wallpaper smoother will spread adhesive all over your new wallpaper. Some of this is unavoidable but the goal is to make as little mess as possible. It’s also nice to wipe off your hands occasionally.

Wallpapering Tip #15: Have a Buddy Present

Wallpaper can be done by one person, especially if they are experienced, have the right tools and patience. However, if this is a DIY project, I would recommend having someone help you. This person can be another set of eyes to make sure things look right and can help when wallpapering around objects, like doors and windows. Most importantly though, you can tag this person in to do some work when it starts to feel tedious or if you start getting frustrated.

Patience is key for wallpaper installation, so always having a buddy ensures that at least one person will have the reserves to jump in when needed. Also, it’s just funner to do everything with someone else.

Wallpapering Tip #16: Order Samples Before Making a Decision

I know how tempting it is to just order a wallpaper that you love without purchasing a sample first. However, seeing something in real life versus on the computer can be a totally different experience. I would recommend you spend the $5/$6 and get a sample (try to get a couple so you have options!).

The samples will give you an idea of the scale, paper quality, sheen, true colors, textural elements, and print quality of the image. I’ve gotten plenty of papers that surprised me (some good and some not so good). One time I ordered two rolls without getting a sample and I was very disappointed in the quality. Learn from my mistakes – always order a sample!

Wallpapering Tip #17: Watch a Few YouTube Videos Before Installing

Youtube is a treasure trove of resources for DIYers. I spent a few hours watching all kinds of videos the first time I installed wallpaper. I linked my favorite videos in a couple of posts (here and here). You can start with those videos, but don’t hesitate to find your own if none of these apply to your type of paper (they’ll still give good tips on going around doors and windows).

Wallpapering Tip #18: If you’re a beginner, Start with An Accent Wall

I already mentioned that wallpapering around corners can be a pain in the tush. An easy way to get started is to wallpaper a single wall. The first wallpaper I used was a mural in my son’s room. It was large enough for a single wall and I cut my teeth (and made mistakes!!) with that first install. I learned many valuable lessons that helped with my future wallpaper projects.

Wallpapering Tip #19: If you’re a beginner, try Non-Woven Paste-The-Wall Wallpaper

Non-woven, paste-the-wall wallpaper is very DIY-friendly. I’ve used this several times and it just keeps getting easier. Why is this a great choice? Well, you don’t have to worry about soaking times for starters. With other types of wallpaper, you may need to have it soak in water or adhesive for a given amount of time. If it doesn’t soak long enough, your paper may not be fully saturated and therefore not fully stretched out. If installed before it’s fully saturated, the wallpaper will shrink which creates seams between your panels. This is not a problem for non-woven, paste-the-wall types because it doesn’t stretch when wet.

Another great thing is this type of paper is usually very cleanable-perfect if you have kids or pets. Lastly, I find the install to be straightforward and require minimal tools.

---

Well, there you have my 19 favorite tips for wallpapering. Do you have any special tips or tricks? Please share them in the comments!

Don’t sweat gift giving this year! These gift ideas for women will help you find the perfect gift for your mom, girlfriend, grandma, sister, or wife!

Not to alarm anyone, but there are only 76 days until Christmas! I know that sounds like a lot, but if you are like me, you want to spend every second of the holiday season soaking up all the Christmas movies, food, and family time. My main goal is to bathe in that holiday magic and the fastest way to squash the holiday spirit is to stress about gifts.

I love giving gifts and I especially like finding the perfect gift for each person. So, in an attempt to make shopping more manageable this year, I’ve spent the last few weeks scouring the internet to find gift ideas for all the people in my life. This week, I’m sharing gift guides for women. There are gifts at every budget and probably contain some gift ideas you haven’t seen on other guides (at least that was my goal). I’ve broken the guide up into different “types” of women, but I think any woman (in any group) would love these ideas.

Gift Ideas For Women Who Like Quality Accessories

The first group of gifts is for any woman who has a casual, easy elegance and wants to extend style to her everyday accessories. The focus here is on quality, durability, and function.

1. Rothy’s Driver Shoe: These loafers are indestructible, super comfy, and washable. They can be worn while running errands or in the office. I love the timeless brown color, but they have other color ways, too.
2. Kate Spade Cross Body: Crossbody bags are super easy and convenient. This style allows women to go hands free everywhere, making it perfect for women-on-the-go. I particularly love to use it while shopping and traveling.
3. Duck Head Umbrella: Umbrellas are a humble accessory that rarely gets much attention, design-wise. This adorable duck head umbrella adds personality and pizzazz and will surely bring a smile to anyone’s face when they use it.
4. Quality Knit Cap: A high quality knit cap is one of the small joys of the winter time. Not only will it keep your head warm, but you’ll also look good (and feel good!) wearing it.
5. Leather Passport Cover: This leather passport cover will make any woman feel a little more put together at the airport. The leather case is classy and elegant.
6. Large Tassel Keychain with USB Charger: Talk about fancy and smart. This key chain combines form and function. The USB charger is cleverly integrated, so you’ll never be without it again (one less thing to worry about packing!). Note that this charger is only for i-phones, this one (via Amazon) can be used for Samsung/most Android Phones.
7. Leather Driving Gloves (totally compatible with your phone): I’m a huge fan of $1 knit gloves that you can find at Target or Walmart. However, when I want to feel like a grown up, I reach for nice driving gloves. These leather ones are lined with cashmere, so they will be soft and warm. Also, they are 100% compatible with your smart phone.

Gift Ideas for Women that Will Encourage Self Care

Everyone needs a little self-care these days. Show the people you love that you recognize all the hard work they do by encouraging them to have time for themselves. These gifts focus on comfort, peace, and care.

1. Matching Sweatsuit: Every woman wants to have clothes that are comfortable and makes them look good. This matching sweatsuit is the perfect combo – totally comfortable and very cute. I particularly love the stylish cropped top with bellowy sleeves.
2. Silk Eye Mask: It’s not always easy to go to sleep while traveling or if you have a partner that stays up later than you. This silk sleep eye mask will block out all the light but still be gentle and beneficial for skin.
3. Knit Slippers: Knit slippers give the ease and movement of socks but with the durable underfooting of a shoe. It doesn’t hurt that these are also extremely cute. I can imagine slipping these on those winter days that just won’t stop snowing.
4. Weighted Blanket: Trouble sleeping or feeling anxious? Weighted blankets can help with both. I particularly like the ones with soft, washable covers. It makes them so easy to clean.
5. Yoga Mat: This is for the lady who wants to do yoga or pilates. This mat is very thick, so you won’t have to worry about your lower back acting up 20 minutes into class.
6. Droplette: This is a splurge, but a great gift idea for the skin-care loving woman in your life. This device was created by scientists (and it’s being tested in a hospital setting and with the military). It has technology that allows different products like retinol or collagen to be perfectly misted on the skin (at the right size/speed), to allow excellent penetration, much deeper than ingredients applied topically (in the typical manner). (Here are a couple of sources if you want to learn more: Article 1 & Video 1)

Gift Ideas for the Gardner

Do you want to cultivate someone’s interest in gardening? Then pick one of these gifts to help their outdoorsy passion bloom. I think that’s enough gardening puns for now. These gifts focus on bringing a little style to very functional gardening accessories.

1. Utility Apron: When gardening, you can never have enough pockets. A pocket for clippers, gloves, markers and, if you are like me, a butter knife. This handy little apron has all the storage needed to tote all the necessities with you. Plus that brown trim is gorgeous and the deep v cut is feminine (dare I say a little sexy?).
2. Leather Gardening Gloves: These long sleeved gardening gloves are perfect for those nasty little plants that are covered in spikes. It can also protect against poison ivy (my arch nemesis).
3. Plant labels: This 25-pack of labels will be handy for the attentive gardener. It will help keep the garden organized. These could easily be slipped into a stocking.
4. Paint Pen (for Plant Labels): This paint pen is supposed to be the best for the plant labels.
5. Garden Basket: Whether it’s flowers or vegetables, this little basket will make toting any bounty back to the house cute and adorable.
6. Knee Pad: Weeding and planting requires a lot of kneeling and sitting on the ground. This can be especially hard on knees. This super thick knee pad will make yard work more comfortable and it’s convenient carrying handle makes it that much better.
7. Planting Guide: This little ruler will make measuring between plants much easier. Not only does it have a hole at every inch, but it also lists common planting distances, so the gardener doesn’t even have to look at the seed packet for directions!

Gift Ideas for the Home

This next group of gifts is for the ladies who are all about practicality. They like their surroundings to be clean and functional.

1. Custom Address Stamp: It’s rare these days to get mail, but when we do it feels really special. This stamp will make sending mail a little extra memorable. Plus, it’ll be especially handy for the holiday season – no more writing all those return addresses by hand!
2. Multi-function Steam Mop: For me, a steam mop is all about making cleaning quicker and easier. This little number has both a floor function and a detachable hand-held piece for cleaning those stubborn stains on other surfaces. This is perfect for the woman who wants a clean house but doesn’t want to spend the whole day doing it.
3. Little Village Baking Pan: This pan is just plain cute. Anyone who loves to bake (especially around the holidays) will enjoy making little cakes that look like a Christmas village. I am totally buying this and giving it a try.
4. Battery Organizer: You know what’s worse than running out of batteries? Knowing you have batteries but having no idea where they are. This little organizer will keep everything together, so no one will ever need to go on a mission to find batteries again.
5. Car Vacuum: Having a dirty car is inevitable if you have kids or if you live/work out of your car. This handy little vacuum will make clean up easy and convenient. With all the additional attachments it’ll get into every nook and cranny, so those random crumbs won’t be missed!
6. Lint Shaver: This is a practical but also fun gift. You know how sweaters or blankets start getting little balls of lint on them after multiple washes? Well, this little device will shave them right off and make it look brand new. It’s extremely easy to use and satisfying. I’ve used it on blankets, furniture, and sweaters.

Gifts for Career Women

Lastly, we have ideas for the working woman. This would be perfect for anyone working in an office, at home, or as an entrepreneur. These gifts are meant to make work just a little easier.

1. Light Ring with Stand: Since virtual meetings are the norm now, this little light ring will ensure that everyone will always look their best. Bonus – it has a cell phone holder, so if your special someone is an influencer or just shares their life on social media, this device just made it a little easier.
2. Upright Clipboard: This clipboard frame can be used to display photos or hold important notes. This can be especially helpful if you need to refer to notes when typing up a report. Although, it’s not big enough to hold a standard piece of paper.
3. Weighted Bookmark: This innocuous little guy can be a VERY big help. If the lady in your life reads a lot or reads text books, this weighted bookmark will hold the book down while also marking the page she is on. Handy, cute, and practical.
4. Leather Travel Pouch: This pouch holds all the essential gear needed when traveling from home to the office. With a pocket for everything, it’ll make going to the office a breeze and it’ll make sure those earphones are never forgotten again!
5. Keyboard Vacuum: I’m not sure if you’ve ever looked at your keyboard, but I’m sure if you haven’t it’s disgusting. It’ll slowly accumulate mounds of dust (and crumbs if you eat while you work). Cleaning everything out of it is not easy (I know because I have tried). However, a handy little vacuum like this will make cleaning it a piece of cake.
6. 2021 Planner: Paper planners will always have a place in my heart. The act of writing something down is a great way to help you remember something. Plus there is something so fun about getting a fresh planner to restart the year. This adorable planner is from Papier, but cute planners have proliferated like crazy in the last 5-10 years. This is perfect for any woman who has a busy schedule and needs to stay on top of it all.
7. Monitor Memo Board : I just learned about this cute little thing. It is a clear piece of plastic that attaches to the side of a monitor. You can attach post it notes, pictures, and more. It will help clean up your desk area and make your workspace look adorable.

Do you want more ideas? Check out my gift guides from 2020 and 2019. I also shared my go-to formula for stuffing the stockings perfectly.