On today's episode of #toolschool we're talking about gallery walls:
I don't think I'll ever be over gallery walls. No matter their size, shape, or style, they never disappoint me. I love how much personality they have. I love that they can be perfectly symmetrical and organized, or relaxed and eclectic. No matter your style, the one thing you need when creating a gallery wall is balance.
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If you've ever been inspired by try a whole new color scheme or style in your Christmas decor, you may have been deterred by the fact that you'd have to replace all of the ornaments you already have. But with a little paint, you can give your ornaments a makeover, saving cash and keeping your old decor out of the landfill. Here's how I gave some glass bulbs a new look, three different ways.
A few years ago, super chunky knit blankets started popping up on blogs and Pinterest, and I immediately knew I wanted to knit my own. Mine knit up quite quickly and easily, and I've been enjoying its cozy embrace ever since. Now I'm even considering putting one of these kits to knit another on my Christmas list, partly because my cat thinks that the one I made should be reserved soley for her use. But also because I'm really not sure you can have too many of these luscious chunky knit throws. Ready to test that hypothesis? Here are a variety of options for buying or making your own chunky knit blanket.
Now that the weather is getting cooler in most places, you may be pulling your sweaters from last year out of the back of your closet. And maybe there are a few that you decide won't be making it into your wardrobe rotation. Before you get rid of an unwanted sweater, consider whether it could have a new life as a sweater pillow. Here's how to add a bit of knit texture to your decor by sewing your own sweater pillow.
The distinct colors, shapes, and textures of the 1970s give interiors from that era a unique energy. Currently, the decade's distinct vibe is coming back, and influencing current trends in a big way. Yes, 70s style might be considered over-the-top now, but comb through examples from that era and you will find pieces and inspiration that will bring new liveliness to your space all while fitting in to your current decor. Keep scrolling for some rad eye candy!
With the recent resurgence of bohemian style, it's no wonder that rattan is also making a comeback. But you might be surprised to discover that rattan can look surprisingly chic. Context is everything, and mixing a rattan piece or two in with more modern elements can make all the difference between a room that looks like the revenge of the '70s, and one that looks like you just added in a bit of natural rattan flair. If you're ready to give it a chance, check out our modern rattan finds (no papasan chairs included).
I have a pillow problem. Anywhere I go, I instantly want to look at the pillow section and leave with an armful of pillows I DON'T NEED. It never stops me, and one of my favorite places to pillow shop is Urban Outfitters, which is where I stumbled upon these velvet flower pillows with tassels. Since velvet is my go-to fabric this time of year, I fell in love with the pillows and decided to practice self-restraint, telling myself I could make one and save a few bucks. Since I already had the supplies at home, my Urban Outfitters knock-off velvet flower pillow was FREE compared to the $50 version!
This just in... the '70s are back! Okay not exactly, but we've noticed a major trend lately - modern '70s style textiles are popping up all over the blogosphere. Think vintage but with a modern twist. We're loving this boho chic look, so today we're sharing ten of our favorite picks.
We all go through that "IKEA phase" in life, and to be honest, I have no intention of leaving that phase! Thanks to the amount of IKEA hacks out there and newer, unique pieces of IKEA furniture, it's easier than ever to achieve a sophisticated look on a budget. If you're in the market for IKEA entertainment center ideas to upgrade an IKEA sideboard, cabinet, buffet or TV unit into a chic centerpiece in your living room, you can hack it SO many different ways!
If you've ever gone on an organizing spree, I probably don't have to tell you that the cost of stuff to organize your stuff can really add up. But if you want to get organized on a budget, your best bet is to create solutions with things you already have. Things that might instead end up in the trash or recycling, so you're saving the planet at the same time. These upcycled organization ideas for every room in the house prove that with a little creativity, you don't have to spend big bucks to create an organized space.
September is a transitional time of year... the kids are going back to school, the weather is getting cooler and the landscape is changing. Which means that it's a great opportunity to give your living room a refresh too. One of the best ways to do this is by adding texture - so take a cue from Scandinavian decor and add some beautiful layered texture to your space this fall.
When we moved into our current apartment, we decided to mount our TV on the wall. Mainly, this was because our cats liked to stand in front of it, but we also just liked the look! Now, it's over a year later and there's nothing on that wall except a TV, which is the eyesore of the room. I'm a BIG TV fan, but I don't like the look of a giant black screen singled out on my wall. Because I was in need of some eye candy myself, I rounded up my favorite ways to decorate around your TV to incorporate it into your decor, or completely transform it into a hidden TV. Now I can't wait to finally decorate around my TV to make the room look a million times better!
The widespread appeal of nautical and coastal decor makes a lot of sense when you consider the primal and ancient connection humans have to the sea. Being attracted to the water is hardwired into our very cells. Scientific studies have proven what we already know anecdotally: spending time near, on, or in lakes and oceans make us happier and healthier. It's no wonder that so many of us respond to the colors, clean lines, and natural elements of coastal, beach, and nautical decor. It makes us feel good to be reminded of the sea.
If your initial reaction to the term "coastal decor" is negative, it's probably from witnessing too many cutesy and heavy-handed thematic rooms. We are not advocating buying and displaying any and all items that have a sailboat or seahorse on them. Good decorating never grows out of an overly simplistic theme, and, "Put an anchor on it" is not a valid design philosophy!
Usually during this time of year, I'm sad to say good-bye to summer. It's hard to let go of the long nights and sunny days. This year, however, I'm pretty excited about the start of the fall season. Don't get me wrong - I love summer, but there's just something so enthralling about the onset of chilly weather. I love the smells, the colors, and the textures - specifically textures like furs and leathers. To start the transition from summer to autumn, I decided to make a DIY fur pillow out of my favorite fall feels.... except this pillow is animal-friendly!
When I first set out to build live-edge floating shelves in my kitchen a few years back, I had no idea how to do it. At the time, I had to figure a lot out myself. Luckily for you, the internet now has step-by-step instructions for a variety of different methods for building shelves without visible brackets. Having personally built floating shelves two different ways, I can tell you that it's not difficult once you have some basic woodworking skills. I managed to do it even as a beginner. Here are seven different tutorials that will help you build the floating shelves (or floating corner shelves!) of your dreams.