Long time readers know my dad pretty well, not because he's been in many photos here on the blog (he's camera shy) but because his handiwork has been featured quite a bit over the years. He did A LOT for us at our last house. He built my kiddos an amazing playhouse/swingset, installed a paver patio and a fire pit, gave our basement fireplace a makeover and built a couple of raised garden ... [Continue Reading]
Summer BlogTour of Homes
Today I'm excited to be participating in a summer blogtour of homes hosted by Marty at A Stroll Thru Life. It's always fun to participate in these seasonal virtual home tours! If you're popping over from the last stop at ZDesign At Home, welcome to Our Fifth House! I'm Carmel, a design enthusiast and DIY dabbler, who is all about having more design FUN and worrying less about the rules. If ... [Continue Reading]
Ceiling Fans Vs. Table Fans
Many designers say ceiling fans are a huge design no-no in interior design. But I don't agree. While I tend to lean towards a chandelier over a ceiling fan more often than not, I do see the functionality of a ceiling fan as absolutely essential in some spaces. While in years past ceiling fans have not always been visually attractive, nowadays there are many manufacturers doing a great job of ... [Continue Reading]
Guest Bedroom – Finally Finished!
Some of you may remember last fall when I decided to tackle our guest bedroom as part of the One Room Challenge. You may also recall that after the six week design challenge I was still a far cry from the finish line due to an unfortunate experience with the removable wallpaper I had planned to use on the headboard wall. But that little snafu ended up being a really good thing as in retrospect I ... [Continue Reading]
Summer Screen Porch Refresh
We use our screen porch year round, so while it's an outdoor space it functions more like another living room. I've been wanting to replace the rocking chairs' cushions for a while now, but finding replacement cushions can be kind of tough. Our old cushions weren't necessarily in bad shape, but I really wanted something that looked a little more custom. From a design standpoint I wanted this ... [Continue Reading]
Design Dilemma – Decorating Around Sliding Glass Doors
Getting back into work mode after a holiday weekend is so tough isn't it?! On the mom front I'm in the homestretch of the school year, and the year-end festivities have been so fun yet also completely exhausting. This shortened week is just flying by, and I'm trying to pack in as much work as I can before the kiddos are officially on summer break. Today I'm tackling another installment in the ... [Continue Reading]
Bar Cart & Easy Summer Cocktail
I finally figured out that little wall space between the end of the kitchen cabinets and the adjacent dining area. I've always felt like this little space needed something but couldn't really put my finger on what. Rather than forcing myself to find something, I just left it blank and hoped that the something it needed would find me. Of course that something found me at Target, my second ... [Continue Reading]
Designing Out Loud – Update On My Home Office
Designing out loud is really the best way to describe how I've tackled the design of my home office. Rather than sharing a before and after and skimming over the details of the process, I've documented every step of the way often seeking your thoughts and opinions when I've found myself struggling to make a particular design decision. Today I'm sharing an update and once again flushing through ... [Continue Reading]
master bedroom – bedding remix
If there's a room in our house that I've struggled to finish decorating it's definitely our master bedroom. I think it's because I've never been 100% happy with the bedding mix. As much as I love an all white bed, I crave pattern, texture and a little color. Though I want a serene bedroom that looks and feels like a soft place to land at the end of the day, I don't want the design of the space ... [Continue Reading]
Five Minute Makeup Routine
The added, unexpected benefit to being a Beautycounter convert is clearer, brighter skin. Which means I can get by with a five minute makeup routine on hurried mornings and not scare anyone. ;) Seriously though, this isn't me humble bragging y'all; this is me sharing the good news because that's what good girlfriends do. My skin hasn't looked this evenly-toned and clear since.....well, never. ... [Continue Reading]
FrogTape Paintover Challenge – Laundry/Mudroom Reveal
Today is reveal day for the FrogTape® Paintover Challenge, and I'm so excited to share my finished laundry/mudroom makeover! But first........... Check Out These Perfectly Clean Paint Lines! That totally makes a do-it-yourselfer's heart go pitter-patter! From the walls, moulding and cabinets to the built-in organizer and doors, everything that could have been painted in this space was ... [Continue Reading]
Guest Room Desk as a Nightstand
Well friends today is week 6 of the One Room Challenge! And I'm supposed to be sharing a big reveal of the completely made over jack-and-jill bathroom I finished for my girl and our guests. But how can I share a reveal if she's not done yet?! #wompwomp It was a bit lofty of me to think I could get this done in less than 6 weeks........along with the FrogTape Paintover Challenge, our spring ... [Continue Reading]
FrogTape Paintover Challenge – Laundry/Mudroom Progress
It's week 2, the half-way point of the FrogTape Paintover Challenge, and I'm happy to share an update on the laundry/mudroom makeover! The Tile Is In! I'm so in love with the new tile I can hardly contain my excitement! It looks even better than I thought it would. And the practical part of me loves how well it disguises dirt! With the floor now dark, I painted the walls Aesthetic White ... [Continue Reading]
Let’s Chat – Audiobooks, Podcasts & Binge-Watching
Between the FrogTape Paintover Challenge and the One Room Challenge I've been in a pretty steady diy project flow for the past month or so. Except for our spring break trip to Italy, I've had a paint brush or roller in my hand just about every other day. Besides gallons of iced coffee, what keeps me chugging along on the diy train is listening to podcasts and dare I say, audiobooks. During ... [Continue Reading]
