Deep, muted colours add warmth to this set of four modern home interiors. The accent colours are delivered sparingly, offering just a taste. There is also a flair of creativity within each of these stylish homes, where extraordinary artwork, textured statement walls, and bold floor coverings are at play. Home design number one features dark rust and olive green elements, elegantly bordered area rugs, and a mesmerising bathroom. Home tour two is crafted with earthy brown decor accents, swathes of dramatic stone, and unique lighting installations. Home three is dashed with muted yellows and rounded features. Number four is warmed by chamois-coloured accents and walls of wood tone.
Two rust-coloured accent chairs raise the heat inside this white living space. The colour of the chairs is echoed in a boldly bordered living room rug. A tree-patterned wallcovering grows an artistic focal point behind a crisply curvaceous couch. Boiserie panels line the perimeter with neoclassical charm.
A limestone floating tv stand is matched by a luxe TV mount. The panel is accentuated by LED strips around its edges.
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The rich rust coloured upholstered dining chairs are repeated inside the dining room. This time the colour ricochets onto modern artwork, which colours a deeply textured focal wall.
In the master, an exquisite bedroom chandelier drops a halo of crystal into the centre of the space. An end of bed bench with a bolster cushion creates a mini chaise lounge style seat.
Another elegantly bordered area rug ties the bedroom furniture arrangement together.
An oversized chair pushes the rust accent into the corner of the room. With the addition of a small and slender reading light, the seating area becomes a cosy reading nook. The bedroom boiserie is painted contrasting dark olive green.
Dark olive green paintwork colours the upper half of the bathroom, whilst mesmerising monochrome tiles pattern the lower. Chic wall sconces flank a trendy racetrack-shaped bathroom mirror.
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A freestanding bathtub is separated from the black and white tile treatment by a textural bed of loose pebbles.
Next up, we visit a home where soothing muted melds make up a cosy tonal backdrop. Earthy brown decor accents come to the forefront. A rich brown sofa rests upon a light greige living room rug. A black coffee table adds a weighty visual anchor.
Linear wall lights strike brightly down a lightly textured stucco wall. The stucco is finished in curves at its edges to create a softly rounded aesthetic. An expanse of limestone makes a dramatic TV statement wall.
The dropped ceiling installation is also curved at its edges to create a pleasing design feature.
A unique ceiling light installation carries a quirky yet minimalist appeal.
Two modern lounge chairs create interesting silhouettes.
A built-in shelving unit inserts a warm column of wood tone into the greige wall stucco.
A wicker floor vase and planter set contribute natural texture to the decor scheme. Dried botanicals bring height to the ensemble.
Behind the lounge layout, a wood and marble kitchen design unfolds. A modern dining set is tagged onto the end of a luxe marble kitchen island.
Wood effect kitchen units counteract the cool white marble countertop and backsplash, creating balance.
The pale marble worktops are punctuated by matt black kitchen faucets and two black kitchen sinks.
A spherical scatter cushion, a round rug, and a wavy coffee table design continue the curved motif.
Eye-catching, colourful artwork grounds an open plan dining area. Dark wooden dining chairs and a matching wood table convey a traditional essence.
A glass dining room pendant light adds a light reflective element to the eclectic scheme. Behind the small, formal dining area, a gleaming stainless steel kitchen cuts sharply across the compact space. An emerald green marble backsplash contributes a jolt of stunning colour.
In the hallway, bright artwork makes a modern statement above an antique console table.
The bathroom is cosily encased by walls of rich wood tone. Vintage mirrors hang above a contemporary marble vanity unit.
A small powder room features a Girl with a Pearl Earring print by Johannes Vermeer.
Beneath the art print, a vintage marble vanity and bathroom faucet add traditional character.
A clawfoot bathtub is encircled by a whimsical shower curtain.
Home layout.
Finally, we enter a fresh white home interior with a soft chamois-coloured modern sofa. Abstract artwork takes the mellow accent colour onto the opposite wall.
Walls of wood tone create a fortress of visual warmth. Wood-slatted panels define the formal dining area from a smooth wooden kitchen installation.
Two wooden bar stools are paired with a wooden kitchen peninsula to create a cohesive breakfast bar area. Bifold doors close across the kitchen prep area behind, which achieves a calm aesthetic once meal times are done.
Up in the bedroom, a minimalist layout creates calm.
A relaxing home sauna is served by a double shower area.
We’ve made it to 2017! With the new year upon us, I’m feeling all sorts of resolve to stay organized in stylish ways. Up first? A printable calendar for each month of the year! I’ve rounded up 12 of my faves that are 100% free and 100% gorgeous!
1. These clipboard beauties would look great on a desk of someone who is obsessed with color! Get the download over at Damask Love!
2. This abstract shadowbox calendar would make a great gift! Get the download over on Exodus Treasures!
3. These hand-lettered images will dress up your laptop each month! Get the monthly downloads over at Montgomery Fest!
4. A monthly photo of your loved ones! Get the printable over on Alice & Lois!
5. A watercolor option that is clean and feminine! Get the download over on Clementine Creative!
6. Or keep all of the months on one sheet and frame them with this sleek black option! Get the download over on I Try DIY!
7. I think this might be my favorite option! I love the numbered look! Get the download over on Wonderwood!
8. This gorgeous option has a colorful graphic included! It doubles as art! Get the download over on The Crafted Life!
9. These handlettered monthly printables are pretty enough to keep up long after 2017 ends! Get the download over on Delineate Your Dwelling!
10. This patterned option is so lovely and has a new one each month! I’m crushin’ on December! Get the download over on This Little Street!
11. Take things one step further by printing out this beautiful weekly planner! You’ll stay on top of your busy schedule in style! Get the download over on Sarah Johnson!
12. And if you’re wanting something floral and sweet, get these downloads over on Enthralling Gumption!
When I think of “home,” I always start with a visual picture: the layout, the colors, and all the “stuff” that makes it so unique. But, of course, my real concept of home doesn’t have anything to do with the physical structure or the things that sit inside it. Home is a sense of peace and rest I experience by myself and with my family. And it’s the place where I nurture relationships, and build community. And if I’m doing things right, it’s the place that helps me stay sane. So this year, I’m giving my home a new commitment, and all my 2017 commitments are actually New Year’s resolutions for the home.
1. Deal with procrastination: Procrastination can really take the joy out most things in life. But in our homes, it can create an unthankful mindset for where we live. We all have projects we put off for days, weeks and sometimes even years. And the effect of that can be feeling behind, but also a lack of gratitude.
When we first moved into our home, we just hauled all our stuff from one country to the other, dumped it into the basement bedrooms that were out of sight, closed the doors and never looked back. Two years later, I still feel anxious when I see all the unpacked boxes and piles everywhere. No more procrastinating! We really want to focus on working on those specific spaces that bring us extra stress that we just don’t need in our life.
If you are in the same boat, you know what we mean. So, come up with a game plan! Working on one room at a time, we are slowly going to clean and organize the basement bedrooms. An easy way to motivate yourself to breath new life into unused spaces is giving them a little facelift! We have plans to give three different rooms their own complete makeover this year: a new home office, an organized laundry room and a spare bedroom/playroom for the kids. We know that hitting these problem areas in the home head-on will definitely make us feel a whole lot less stressed in the long run and give us a little more gratitude for where we live.
2. Narrow down to the necessities: When you live surrounded by a lot of clutter, it’s easy to overlook the details that make your house a home. It’s high time we take a long look around to see what items we have that are necessary and items that have no meaning whatsoever. I really do want to live out the whole “less is more” motto and scale back…big time.
I do love to thrift and hunt for unique treasures. Though we have collected a lot of really “cool” stuff over the years, it all can feel a little overwhelming. It’s time to really ditch the extra baggage around the home and do a little purging. One easy way to do this is figuring out if the object or thing has special meaning or memory. If it doesn’t and you just have it because it simply looks pretty or was on sale, give it away! Having less stuff will easily put your mind at ease.
3. Out with the old, in with the new: Christmas usually means a plethora of new toys and clothes for everyone. Before taking all the new stuff out of the packages and ripping the tags off of new clothes, go around the house with a few boxes to collect old toys and clothes that haven’t been touched in months. It’s like the old switch-a-roo! And to help keep a little order and sanity of course.
4. Invest in people, not things: We try our best, but we are all guilty of getting sucked into this world of consumerism. All the newest decor trends, fashion trends and endless stuff to be had….just walk around your favorite local shops and boutiques and you know the feeling exactly. It’s enough to make you go crazy. This year, I really want to invest in relationships rather than things. It’s about being intentional with our time (and money) and investing it on loved ones and experiences, not goods.
5. A cleaning routine: Am I the only one that finds this one totally daunting? In a fast paced world, there seems to be very little time or energy left to care for the home. Which is why we probably avoid having some sort of cleaning routine or schedule, because it’s just one more thing we have to do! For me, it’s really about an attitude change. I’m a stay-at-home-mom and I sometimes resent that looking after the home is essentially my “job.” But honestly, we are so blessed to have this beautiful home and I should show a little more gratitude by taking better care of it! So you see, it’s about doing a littler inner cleaning of the heart too, if you know what I mean.
How about you? What commitments are you making for your home this year? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Sparklers pictures are a fun and festive part of any 4th of July gathering. Find out how you can document the day by taking long exposure photographs on your smartphone. Your Instagram feed is going to shine!
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Photo: Amber Dickson
Safety First When Creating Sparkler Pictures
The most important step is insuring your safety and that of the people around you. Always make sure any children are closely supervised. Sparklers can reach temperatures above 1800 degrees Fahrenheit and need to be handled carefully. Use caution both when they are lit and after they finish sparking. It is so much better to end the night ooh-ing and aah-ing at fireworks as opposed to waiting at the ER to get a burn treated.
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Photo: Amber Dickson
Stability is Key
Normally, your camera records a picture in a mere fraction of a second. Long exposure photography creates the image over the course of multiple seconds. Unless the goal is to create an abstract image, your phone needs to be stabilized. Even if your current beach body has 18-inch biceps, you will not be strong enough to hold it completely still. A tripod or some other method of bracing the camera is necessary when creating sparkler pictures
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Photo: Amber Dickson
Capturing Sparklers in a Photo
There are three ways to capture your image using a smartphone instead of DSLR camera.
Manual Mode
Later model Android phones have a ‘manual’ or ‘pro’ mode. Initially, set the shutter speed between one and three seconds and the ISO between 100 and 400. Experiment with these settings to get the shot you want.
iPhone Live
If you have an iPhone operating with iOS11, another option is to use the Live mode in the camera app. When enabled, the camera captures 1.5 seconds before the picture is snapped and 1.5 seconds after. To create your image, compose your shot and take a Live picture. Select it from the cameral roll and swipe up to reveal the Effects menu. Select ‘Long Exposure’ and a new image will be made by layering all three seconds of Live footage.
Third Party Apps
The last option is to use a third-party app. Search ‘long exposure photography’ in the app store to explore your options. Slow Shutter Cam is one of my favorite apps to use. It has a capture mode specifically for light trails and the interface is simple to navigate.
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Photo: Amber Dickson
Get Creative
Now, pull out your imagination. It’s time for some fun!
Consider starting with something simple. A two-second exposure shot of a single sparkler in total darkness is easy to create but still yields magical results. Gradually add people and multiple sparklers as you get the hang of your camera. Make sure to experiment with settings. You are sure to stumble accidentally into some great shots this way.
Keep in mind that the longer the shutter speed, the more sparks and light trails you will capture. However, if getting a clear and focused image of someone’s face is your goal, the shutter speed needs to be limited to one second.
When using sparklers to ‘write’ with light, it is much easier to flip the image in a photo editor than it is to form the letters backward as the picture is taken.
Share this project on Pinterest!
Remember, sparklers do not have to be relegated solely to the 4th of July. Keep some on hand for backyard barbecues, impromptu picnics on the beach, and even a run-of-the mill weeknight at home. They are guaranteed to add, well, sparkle to everything.
I love Christmas garlands. I drape them on doorways, my fireplace, and even my staircase banister. A few years ago, I decided to buy all fresh evergreen lengths of Christmas garland, and I worked hard to drape them everywhere, following all the instructions to make sure they’d last. But two weeks later … my garlands were dead and done.
The heater vents and the heat from our fireplace fires killed that greenery dead. Everyone told me I should have waited until two weeks before Christmas before hanging real greenery, but I want my home to be decorated all Christmas season! I needed something a little more permanent, and the custom “fake” options were not cheap, ranging from $80-$300. So my solution was to take an inexpensive garland and make it look full, expensive, and as real as fake could possibly look.
First things first, find an inspirational photo for this project.
Inexpensive Christmas garland (I got mine at Wal-mart for less than $2. Only sold in stores.)
Wire clippers (not pictured)
Hot glue and gun (not pictured) You might not need this if your garland is only going to rest on top of your mantel and not on drape on the sides.
The inexpensive Christmas garland will be your base. You need at least two because really cheap garland is typically very skinny (you’ll be twisting them together). I happen to have a huge fireplace mantel so I needed 4 garlands for my base, which cost a total of eight dollars!
I purchased two of each of the floral stems.
Total Cost of my 18 Ft. Garland: $25.00 ….and some change
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Unwrap your garlands and lay them side by side. Twist your garlands together. Begin and end your garland by twisting, but to keep the middle together, you can switch to using a single wired pine stem from one garland and wrapping it around the base wire of the other garland. Once your two garlands become one, fluff the garland.
If you need to make the Christmas garland longer, before you twist, use the wire on the end to wrap around the connecting garland’s middle wire then fluff your pine needles around it. After this, start twisting your two longer garlands together.
Here was my 18-foot garland after Step 1. Please excuse my unfinished wood floor in dire need of refinishing … someday.
Note: I didn’t want lights in my garland but if you do, at this point you want to add your lights.
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Clip apart your stems. I did this randomly, keeping some in a cluster and some as singles. This all depends on how your garland rest; you’ll have to play with it a little to get it just right.
Tip: Hang your garland from the first step on your mantel and secure it into place first, then add the cut floral stems.
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First add your draping evergreen. I added it in the places I wanted it to go along just the top of my mantel first. Save some for your sides.
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Next, cut bunches off your magnolia leaves from the stem and slip them into the greenery where you have placed your draping evergreen. You can secure them with hot glue. I just simply wrapped the excess stem of the magnolia bunch around the middle wire of the garland then fluffed the pine stems to hide it.
Do this for the entire garland.
Note: You can easily take off the leaves of the magnolia bunch. I thought more than 4-5 leaves in a bunch looked a little crowded so I just simply took a few off. I used those single leaves as well (see step 6).
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Add a little sprig of the Eucalyptus floral.
This was what each of my “bunches” looked like. Some were bigger and some were smaller.
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To make use of the single leaves I took off from a larger bunch, I glued them together in twos or threes.
After gluing, I would add them into the garland. If they are not staying in place you could add a little dab of hot glue to your base garland.
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Now it’s time to add to the hanging part of the garland. For the draping evergreen and the Magnolia leaves, I simply wrapped a single pine stem around the cut stem of the floral. Fluff around the twisted stem to hide it. (Has anyone counted how many times I have used the word “fluff” in this post?)
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To keep the Eucalyptus stem in place you will have to add a little dab of hot glue.
I love the way my garland turned out. It is unique and inexpensive.
Yes, it is fake, but adding in the layered stems really helps to make it look real.
When Christmas is over, I will deconstruct it (what is not glued) and store it all together. I might even add to it next year. I think these paper magnolia flowers would be a pretty addition.
Pin It and Share It: DIY Christmas Garland
Have you had better experiences than I have with making real garland greenery last in a heated home? Please comment your tips below!
