Thank you all so much for the kind comments on my girl's bathroom makeover! I'm pretty pleased to have that space knocked out as it's also the bathroom guests use when they stay with us! Many of you all inquired about how I framed out the bathroom mirror over the vanity, so today I'm sharing the super easy tutorial. Y'all this project is so simple! Most of it was completed by my 13 year old ... [Continue Reading]
Girls/Guest Bathroom Makeover
I'm finally done with my girl's/ our guest bathroom makeover! You know the one I attempted to complete as part of the One Room Challenge this past spring. Better late than never I say. ;) (lucite towel bar, bathing suit print by Sam Sidney) Small Changes - Big Impact I didn't really do much in here other than paint and switch out a few things. But the little things I did like framing ... [Continue Reading]
What I’ve Read Lately
I've read 4 and listened to 2 books lately. One was a re-read, and one I didn't finish. I know it's the summer, but I wouldn't consider any of these titles to be "beach reads". Nonetheless, I'm sharing my thoughts today before I forget in case you're looking for a new book or were considering any of these. (*Quick sidetone: I scored that blush pink glass lamp at Goodwill for ... [Continue Reading]
How to: Replace a Light Switch and/or Install a Dimmer
Installing a dimmer switch is a relatively simple and inexpensive home improvement project. Apart from the ambiance they provide they can also help to conserve energy. I pretty much believe that all over head lighting in a home should be on a dimmer. Mood lighting is just so key! I recently replaced a few switches in my home courtesy of Legrand, one of the HGTV Smart Home sponsors. And today ... [Continue Reading]
Tweening Up My Girl’s Room
I can hardly believe it, but in four days my baby girl will be 11 years old! My, has the time flown. Her main birthday request was that I give her room "a more grown up teenager-y look". I was like, wait, whoa, let's pump the breaks here little miss. You're going to be 11 not 16! ;) That being said, I was more than happy to fulfill her main request for new bedding. She was, in her words, ... [Continue Reading]
Reader Design Dilemma – Coordinating Statement Fixtures
For some reason most of the questions submitted by readers to my design dilemma series have to do with light fixtures. It seems interior lighting presents a number of different challenges. In this series I've covered everything from how to go about Choosing Entry Foyer Lighting , Selecting Pendant Lights for Over a Kitchen Island, Coordinating Fixtures in an Open Floor Plan, How to Deal with ... [Continue Reading]
A Walk Down Patriotic Lane
The Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays! I love it almost as much as I love Christmas! I just love all the red, white and blue, and the flags flying high! Today I'm taking a little walk down patriotic lane looking back at some old projects and designs featuring America's favorite colors. Star Spangled Shorts There's still time to make these star shorts before the 4th. All you ... [Continue Reading]
The Scoop on “Safe” Beauty & My Summer Beauty Essentials
A friend recently asked me to check out a particular beauty line she had been hearing lots of rave reviews about online. She was interested in trying a few of the products and wanted me to investigate their safety. This particular brand is not yet in the Skin Deep Database. So she reached out to me for some help deciphering whether the brand holds up to their "safe", "non-toxic" marketing buzz ... [Continue Reading]
Instagram Series – Seasons With Style
If you' re following me over on Instagram then you already know that last week I joined six of my favorite design blogger friends to host a fashion style series featuring our favorite summer looks. It was fun to branch out from the usual diy and design related posts to share more of our personal style. Fashion and design are so closely intertwined. I often tell clients that are struggling to ... [Continue Reading]
Curb Appeal in a Day
The curb appeal of your home is your home's first impression. And the star of any curb appeal show is the front entry, which is a really great thing because it doesn't take much time or money to give your front entry a makeover. Simply changing the door color and updating the hardware can totally transform the whole look of your home and is an easy update you can make in one afternoon! From ... [Continue Reading]
Kitchen Range Hood Options
I've wanted to remove the cabinet and range hood over the gas stovetop in our kitchen for a more substantial range hood since we moved in almost two years ago. But I didn't want to rush into any big design changes. I wanted to live with this space for awhile first. So I put that change on the back burner (see what I did there ;) ) and made a few small-ish tweaks in here like changing the ... [Continue Reading]
DIY Raised Garden Box
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]
