ShareIf you’re like me and this summer’s (crazy!) record-breaking high temps have you looking for a weekend project that won’t cause you to break a sweat, then I have just the project for you: reviving your bathroom’s stained grout. Don’t worry, this is WAY easier than it sounds, costs less than $20 and no grinder or chisel is needed.
My sad bathroom floor before. This is the original 1950′s tile and, although you can’t tell, is a beautiful Robin’s egg blue.
ShareDip dye is all the range in the crafts department these days, and I’m definitely aboard the fan train. It’s the simplest detail, really, but proves to make such a grand impact on even the most basic furniture pieces. The bolder, older sister to ombre, dip dye is a technique used in a variety of mediums – from baskets to tees to [gasp!] hair! – and is quickly transitioning from a fleeting trend to a long-lasting and well-loved design practice.
Transform a $5 stool in an afternoon!
ShareLast week, I shared photos of my embarrassingly bare bedroom. (Remember that mattress on the floor? I certainly do.) Since sprucing it up is our first real project, I’ve spent hours upon hours this week holding up paint chips and scouring Pinterest for THE perfect shades. Besides getting a really great arm workout (fan decks can get mighty heavy…), I’ve managed to narrow the field down to two possible palettes.
Our master bathroom has ’50s-era aqua tile that’s not going anywhere anytime soon, so I wanted to incorporate that color into the bedroom palette to create a cohesive look. Overall, I”m looking for a modern natural feel, with flashes of bright colors alongside more muted hues. Which do you prefer?
Palette 1: Energetic Greens
I’m a little obsessed with yellow, so it’s not surprising that this look-at-me hue made into one of my palettes as an accent color. Chartreuse and aqua give this look a vintage feel, while warm neutrals keep it feeling modern.
Pillows via Coastal Living; bedding from Urban Outfitters
Palette 2: Tangerine Dreams
Tangerine (Pantone’s color of the year!) and aqua are color wheel opposites, but they’re a classic combination. I love the idea of bringing in a bright orange, vintage leather chair as an accent piece. Soft mocha paint (or a subtly-patterned wallpaper) would make the walls warm and inviting.
Peaches via Laura Vegas; Chair from Rate My Space contributor NYDesignGuy
Which color swatch should I use? Cast your vote in the comments below!
Read Liz’s previous House Diaries posts here and follow her home inspiration board on Pinterest.
ShareChalkboard walls are all the rage, but I knew I wanted something different in our kitchen. And yet, I can’t fight the notion that a message wall is just so darn convenient when tracking schedules, making grocery lists, leaving welcome messages (or, as you’ll see in a few images, professing your never-ending love to your favorite TV network).
The giant before.
ShareI may not be wild about the phrase “pops of color,” but I certainly appreciate them in practice. Take, for example, this neon yellow door with the mod house numbers, industrial light and sleek mail slot from Arch Daily.
Photo: Greg Benson Photography
Talk about curb appeal! This door would make a great first impression on me. It’s a playful, yet bold statement, and I’d want to know more. (Don’t you wonder who lives here and what the rest of the place looks like? It’s probably pretty cool inside, I’d think.) I only hope they they also have a hot pink sink in place.
ShareThe year is drawing to a close and I am sure many of you have projects sitting in your garage or storage closet waiting to be tackled. Today I’m offering one simple suggestion: paint.
A good paint color can transform a drab item into an amazing statement piece. Best of all, all it takes is some patience and a little bit of money.
Most people think painting furniture is only for wood or plastic pieces. Not true. Almost anything can be painted.
Just recently I painted a set of wing-back chairs. At less than $10 for supplies, I updated them in just one weekend.
In its past life this desk was probably the life of the room, offering substantial storage and a sturdy writing surface. However, years passed and trends changed. Natty by Design brought this gem back to the modern era with a fresh coat of paint. Its high-gloss finish adds just the right amount of pizazz without being overpowering.
You can also use spray paint to give something new life. While these particular lamps weren’t thrifted, Janel Beals knew the blue color wouldn’t work in her space, so she fixed that dilemma with a nice coat of white paint. Thrift stores tend to have reasonably priced lamps with great shapes.
Perhaps you like the idea of painting but want to go the extra step. Take this secretary that received a facelift for one of Amy Meir’s clients. Yes. I know. Spectacular.
Now I know the secretary was a quite daunting. Some of us are not quite ready for that experience. How about this boot jack? I found it while browsing a local thrift store and was not a fan of the color. I simply spray painted it gold and now I am using it as a paper weight. How easy was that?
Have you also painted a thrifted piece? Share!
ShareI know, you’re probably thinking, Pinecones? The last time I crafted with a pinecone was in grade school. Are you going to tell me to smear peanut butter on them, dip them in birdseed and hang them from a tree? No, smart alecks, I’m not going to tell you to do that. How about you spray paint them neon colors and arrange them beautifully in a glass jar instead? How cute would these be next to this playful Tobi Fairley Christmas tree?
I spotted these neon delights on Under the Sycamore in a guest post by Julie of Joy’s Hope, but it turns out that our own Sarah Richardson has a video tutorial for similarly-bold pinecones right here! Sarah’s using a dip-and-shake method in lieu of spray paint, but both techniques are easy enough for the whole family to try. (With supervision, of course. Maybe in the garage, where the paint won’t end up on the couch, curtains and family dog.) Why not make it a post-Thanksgiving activity? And as Sarah points out in the video, the pinecones would also make adorable placecard holders for your next holiday meal.
ShareMaybe I’m still feeling the vibe of Virginia Johnson’s quirky watercolor illustrations from The Perfectly Imperfect Home, because this watercolor wallpaper by Karla Davison of Black Crow Studios is dazzling me right now. (Our own Emily Henderson pinned this on Pinterest, so I know I’m not the only one crushing on it.)
It’s “art” that makes your whole wall the canvas! The hazy colors and the dramatic swirls would look breathtaking on a large scale, and how much fun would it be to run wild with this palette in a room? I’m a lover of all wallpaper, but I think this one’s a masterpiece.
What do you think? Would you put this painterly paper on your walls?
ShareDidn’t get your Missoni fix from Target’s collection? (As of this writing, I’m still waiting on the zig-zag socks I ordered to be shipped to me. Frowny face.) Well, never fear. You can make your own Missoni magic on a pumpkin, like artist/blogger Alisa Burke did here!
Paint is a playful way to give Halloween pumpkins some flair without resorting to the hassle and mess of carving. You don’t have to stop at one pattern, either. Alisa gave one gourd a black and white ikat print, and another a colorful suzani. If you keep the color palettes similar, all the prints will look pretty together. Get more fun Halloween decorating tips and entertaining tricks from HGTV here.
ShareRaise your hand if you’re glad it’s summer! I’m certainly happy the sun is making a stunning debut and so is my home’s interior. We practically skipped the spring season here in Knoxville, Tenn., so my home was still feeling the dreary winter blues when summer came along. Not anymore! After lusting over the collection of palettes from HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams, I’m ready to douse my place in paint. Goodbye, beige! Last week, I shared my top five summer design tips and ideas, from outdoor entertaining to decorating with flea market finds, and this week, I’m bringing you my top three ways to decorate with color this summer. Hey, your interior needs to enjoy June, July and August just as much as you do! So grab a paintbrush and take note.
1. Use Classic Palettes: Preppy Hues Aren’t Just for the Country Club Set Anymore
It’s true. You don’t have to be a blue blood to bring a preppy design style to your home. Color combinations once associated with early 80s yuppies, British gentlemen’s clubs and university sororities are finding their way into everyday homes. My favorite style? Subtle yet traditional stripes with a pop of yellow. But then again, my girly side totally adores the Lily Pulitzer-style pairing of pink and green.
Love this wool rug in a pretty lavender and white design
DIY: lacquered boxes #hgtvmagazine
This cool yellow pouf works in almost any room. Try the pop
Transform a neutral space into a colorful living room with
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