I have this thing with throw pillows. I feel like they really bring a space to life. Changing up my pillow arrangements is something I do quite a lot, but I especially love to do it as a way of ushering in a new season. I've had way too much fun styling my sofa lately thanks to the newest additions to my hoard of pillow covers, so I thought I'd share a few styling tips. I think decorating ... [Continue Reading]
Book Review – The Shaken Snow Globe
Earlier this year I started a book club in my neighborhood. See, I actually follow my own advice! ;) Rather than waiting to be asked to join one, I just started one myself. It's been a fun way to build community and foster friendships in our new neighborhood, bonding over a mutual interest.......or interests I should say. I think some of us enjoy the social time, and what I mean by social ... [Continue Reading]
Fall Home Tour – Living Room
Today I'm participating in Marty's Fall Home Tour. If you're new around here and just visiting from Simple Stylings, welcome! Isn't Summer's home just beautiful! There's nothing better than going on a virtual tour of homes from the comfort of your sofa! So feel free to grab yourself another cup of coffee and get comfy. I really love this time of year! Both my wedding anniversary and ... [Continue Reading]
Design Dilemma Update – Corbie’s Entry
At the beginning of the year I started a new series here at Our Fifth House called "Design Dilemma", where readers submit decorating dilemmas they've been dealing with in their homes. Then I brainstorm some ideas to help them jump over their design hurdles. I'm hardly an expert, but I think most times it's really just about getting a fresh set of eyes on the issue. We all need a sounding board ... [Continue Reading]
Lowe’s Home Makeover – The Before and The Design Plan
You may remember a few weeks ago when I announced that I was once again partnering with Lowe's Home Improvement to makeover a space in one Charleston, SC area home. With so many applicants and projects submitted it was tough to make a selection. In a dream world we could do home makeovers for every applicant! Honestly, I'd like to personally thank each of you who submitted spaces; it's such an ... [Continue Reading]
Skincare – My Nine Essentials
I'm really passionate about staying away from chemically laden skincare products which is one reason I've added more Beautycounter products to my line-up. I was just so in love with their makeup products that I had to try their skincare products as well. I love that with Beautycounter there is no guessing or agonizing over reading ingredient lists. I also really love the fact that they make ... [Continue Reading]
Blush for Fall
Starbucks brought back the Pumpkin Spice Latte on September 1st and all of sudden I'm over here like it's time to bust out the boots and vests. Nevermind that it's been close to 90 degrees every day this week here in South Carolina. ;) Inside my home it's starting to look more like fall. I'm not using traditional "fall" colors this year. I'm actually pulling inspiration from my newest Janet ... [Continue Reading]
Design Tip – Role Play and Phone Snaps
For a while now I've been thinking about bringing in a small bar cart to use in this space between where the kitchen cabinets end and the window. Apart from the fact that I love the look of a bar cart I also like the functionality they add for entertaining. Many times when I'm considering adding a new piece or making a design change rather than just trying to visualize how it will look I play ... [Continue Reading]
Design Course Correction – New Sofa for the Living Room
You may have noticed the other new addition to our living room when I shared our new chair. Yes, we got a new living room sofa! No, I didn't get rid of our dusty blue velvet beauty. I just moved her into another room, my son's new room.....more on that coming soon. The truth is I really loved that sofa. I still do. And I really wanted to make it work in our living room. I was, after all, ... [Continue Reading]
you’re the team captain plus a simple crab salad recipe
It's a strange title for a blog post. I know. I couldn't come up with anything more succinct, catchier or fitting. Although this title truly is a brief summary of today's post. You see, you may be surprised to learn that the number one question I field from readers has nothing to do with design. Nope, the most asked question has to do with how to build friendships in new places. Kind of strange, ... [Continue Reading]
a new living room chair & thoughts on merging your style
When we decided to move the chair we had in our living room to a different room in the house I knew it would probably take a while for us to find a replacement that the hubs and I would both love. He's not the "I don't care about design" type of man. He has his own design style as well as his own strong opinions. I know some of you might be shocked to hear this, but men like this actually do ... [Continue Reading]
how to replace a kitchen faucet
I always think of a faucet as jewelry for your kitchen. It's a finishing piece that brings the whole design together. Like a statement necklace, a new kitchen faucet can add style and personality to what is essentially a space that is typically more about function than form. With so many options to suit any design style finding a new faucet within your price range can be really simple. Big box ... [Continue Reading]
home office design plan
No, this picture wasn't taken on move-in day last year. It was taken just this morning. This is the room to the right of our entry foyer. It's the very first room you see when you walk into the house. The previous owners used this space as a formal living room. Since we don't have the need for another living space the hubs and I both agreed that we would make this room his home office ... [Continue Reading]
new kitchen faucet
Last year after I switched all the kitchen cabinet hardware from oil-rubbed bronze to champagne bronze I knew I wanted to eventually replace our traditional style oil-rubbed bronze kitchen faucet with something a bit more modern looking in a champagne bronze finish. I just love the way the muted gold tones warm things up in here and complement the granite counter tops. So when the finish on the ... [Continue Reading]
